Evening Echo Motor Show, Sunday May 30 and Monday May 31, at Southend Airport. Gates open at 9.30am. Admission £3 adults, £2 children.

Attractions include classic and new cars on display and in cavalcade, airplanes at the airport specially for the airport's Open Day or using it as a stop-over before taking part in the Southend Air Show on the same days.

Other attractions include live music from girl band GX4 and the chance to win a ride in a Lamborghini Diablo and a flight to World War Two fighter base North Weald

While families get together to enjoy the Echo Motor Show and the Southend Airport Open Weekend next weekend they will also get the chance to help needy children during a charity event being run at the Evening Echo stand.

The Children's Promise was set up by Marks and Spencer, who are meeting the operating costs of the initiative to ensure that every penny collected goes to the children's causes.

All the money raised will go to the group of seven charities - Barnardos, BBC Children in Need, Childline, the Children's Society, Comic Relief, NCH Action for Children and the NSPCC.

They hope to make a lasting legacy to protect vulnerable children of the next millennium, ensuring them a happy, healthy and fulfilling future.

The Echo is helping by holding a special charity lucky numbers game, and there are some exciting and unique prizes to be won - especially for sport lovers.

One of the top prizes is a VIP trip to Silverstone. Southend snooker shop the Cue Doctor has donated two snooker cues, which have been signed by three of the biggest names in the sport.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, Jimmy White and John Virgo were all attending the Evening Echo Snooker Classic '99 event last Friday and were happy to sign the cues making the prizes unique and even more valuable.

If cricket is closer to your heart then a cricket bat signed by the Essex county team might be your dream prize. It too is waiting to be won by one lucky visitor to the Evening Echo Motorshow next Sunday and Monday at Southend Airport.

Football fans can win shirts donated by Southend United, a shirt signed by Ian Wright and West Ham footballs donated by Martin Allen.

Another prize up for grabs is a year's free membership to the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Chase Sports and Fitness Centre and Shoeburyness Leisure Centre. You also get discounted use of Warriors and Belfairs swim centres.

There are a host of other prizes including a fantastic Playstation donated by Virgin Megastore, Basildon, a meal at the famous Harry Ramsden restaurant at Lakeside, a flying lesson at Southend Airport and a day return trip to France on Hoverspeed for a car and up to five people. For DIY enthusiasts there are also 10 £25 Wicks vouchers to be won.

The Evening Echo is now appealing for even more local businesses to come forward and offer prizes for this worthwhile cause. Anyone who feels they could help out should contact Motor Show organisers Lisa Cambridge or Shelley North on 01268 522792.

Cars, planes, bikes - Thrills aplenty plus great prizes to be won will be waiting at the Evening Echo's Motorshow and Southend Airport Open Weekend

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