MOTORISTS rubbed their eyes in wonderment as a gorilla sped through the streets on a motorbike.

The hairy fellow actually motorcycle stunt rider Andy Hobbs looked highly competent astride the Bombardier DS650 quad bike at locations including Lydiard Millicent, Westlea, Westcott Place, Commercial Road, Groundwell Road and the Magic Roundabout.

And the father-of-four even stopped by the Evening Advertiser offices, in Victoria Road, during his exploits on Thursday April Fool's Day.

Andy, 37, had been sponsored to the tune of £100 by members of the North Wilts AMCA motocross club the money will go to the Swindon Cancer Appeal, which aims to raise £600,000 for Macmillan nurses.

Andy, who undertook all the motorcycle stunts in the recently released children's film Tooth, said: "It seemed like a fun idea and, let's face it, something that could only be done on this particular day of the year.

"It certainly turned a few heads how often do you see a gorilla in your rear-view mirror?

"The amount of smiles I got from people was great. I get a real kick out of that."

Andy, of Stone Lane, Lydiard Millicent, added: "I read the Evening Advertiser and have been following the appeal's progress so wanted to do my bit to help."

Some 150 staff at Wilson Tools, in South Marston, joined in various events last year, including raffles and naming a teddy competition, raising £500 for their efforts.

Human resources manager Trevor Davis, 47, said the company wanted to support the appeal in memory of their colleague Jane Marritt, who died of a brain tumour last year, aged 36.

He said: "Jane was cared for by Macmillan nurses so we wanted to help the charity continue its magnificent work."

Daredevils still have time to register for a 100ft abseil from the top of the WH Smith building.

It costs £10 a person to register for the event on Saturday, May 1 and a minimum of £100 sponsorship is required.

Cyclists are in training for the annual Macmillan Castle Mountain Bike Ride, which will be held on Sunday, June 6. The route follows the Ridgeway in a loop of the Downs, and cyclists can choose a 10, 15 or 25-mile ride.

The Great Swindon Duck Race, organised by the Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town and sponsored by Nationwide, takes place at the River Ray on May Day Bank Holiday, May 3, at the Wootton Bassett Road recreation ground.

Firms can sponsor a drake for a £50 donation, or individuals may buy a duck for £1, from WB Photographic, in Victoria Road, Spot on Models, in Fleet Street, and Burden Electronics, in County Road.

Call Rotarian David Pratt on 0845 2255787 if your shop or business would like to sell ducks.

The total raised for the appeal stands at £350,714. For more information call the appeal office, in Milton Road, on 01793 601636.

Swindon Macmillan committee's annual meeting is on Wednesday, April 28 in the small hall at The Queen's Road Methodist Church, Whitbourne Avenue at 7.30pm.