THERE was a record crowd at the annual Alton Bus Rally and Running Day, with 8,000 people filling Anstey Park for what is one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK.

Organiser Claire Barrett described the free event as “amazing” and the best they have held with buses driving in from all parts of the

country and varying in age from the oldest, a 1919 Sandown with a wooden frame, to a new Guildford Safeguard.

Buses weren’t the only attraction on offer last month: cars, motorcycles, mopeds and emergency and military vehicles were also there to inspect and owners on hand to help visitors with information about their particular model.

As always, throughout the day an extensive network of free bus services was operating between Anstey Park to Alton town centre and railway station, to link up with main line trains and the Mid Hants Railway (MHR) Watercress steam line. Buses also took visitors out to Medstead and Four Marks Railway Station and the surrounding villages and towns.

These services were based on the routes operated by Aldershot & District, Alder Valley, Hants & Dorset, Southdown, Wilts & Dorset and other independent operators from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The Mid-Hants Railway operated a train service between Alton and Alresford using steam and heritage diesel traction engines.

Meanwhile, at Anstey Park, in addition to a static display of vehicles there were 62 stalls selling a wide variety of things to do with transport, plus plants and other goods and, as always, there was plenty of food and drink to enjoy.

Claire Barrett, who owns four buses, said all money raised from programme sales would help support the Mid-Hants Railway.