But many will never see the objects they admire unless they travel thousands of miles - to Knutsford.

Others closer to home, though, do make the pilgrimage to see their icons - 300 huge scarlet and gold Irlam lorries.

"Some families come for a day out and sit in our yard collecting numbers of trucks," said managing director David Irlam.

"I've had mums, dads and children all in my office asking for my autograph."

In just nine months more than 3,000 lorry spotters from all over the world have joined the Chelford-based Irlams Fan Club.

Last week club organiser Steph Evans received applications from France, Singapore and even New Zealand.

Most have found the fan club on the Internet.

"We only operate in Britain so they will never see the lorries but it doesn't seem to matter," she said.

"You can almost feel the excitement in their letters."

Members' ages range from nine to 90, but all adore the shiny red lorries that stand out on the road alongside the green livery of fellow-haulier Eddie Stobart

"We spend a lot of money washing the trucks and making them look smart," said David.

"It is amazing that now our name is known worldwide."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.