A BASINGSTOKE chef and his mate were the focus of attention as they scooted through London in a huge Westminster-bound motorcycle cavalcade that raised a lot of money for the NSPCC.

While Jeff Hunt, 27, of South Ham, rode his 1990 Vespa T5 Piaggio 125 in Saturday's Parliamentary Review Ride, his pal Ivan Hayman, of Grove Road, was on his Gilera Piaggio Runner 180.

Ivan said: "We were the only two scooters there and the press were all over us. It was a good day. We were shown around the House of Commons and I sat in the Speaker's chair."

The 15-mile ride, headed by four times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, featured more than 1,000 motorcyclists.

Ivan added: "Fogarty sat on our scooters and chatted to the media. Now I have a signed tabard and photograph that I intend to auction for the NSPCC."

Jeff and Ivan signed up for the procession after seeing an advert in a magazine and together reckon they have raised £400.

Jeff said: "I did it because I've always been into scooters, and it was a chance to raise money for a good cause.

"I've had my Vespa since October. I work as a chef in Eversley, and often use it for the 14-mile trip."

The procession - staged by the All-Party Parliamentary Motor Cycling Group - started at the Ace Caf, in London's North Circular Road, and made its way to Westminster under police escort.

The riders were flagged into the House of Lords car park by London mayoral candidate Steve Norris, who is president of the Motor Cycle Industry Association, before being presented with mementoes by Fogarty.

Every participant had to raise at least £100 for the NSPCC.

The pair are members of the Basingstoke Scooter Club, which helped with sponsorship. Jeff's work colleagues also backed him.