Hundreds of people flocked to Alton town centre for a celebration of British sports cars as Alton Lions Club held its annual Classic Car Show on August 30.

With marques including Jaguar, MG, Austin Healey, Triumph, Ford and Morris, there were nearly 200 beautiful examples of British car making plus live music, entertainment, a craft market and children’s activities.

The judges were Alton Lions president Paul Taroni, East Hampshire District Council chairman Cllr Graham Hill, and Alton town mayor Cllr Annette Eyre and her consort, husband Andy Eyre.

Dean Phillips of The Little Grey Cells was master of ceremonies and David Slade of David F Slade Motor Vehicle Repairs made the trophies. There was help from Alton Lions supporters Roger Joel, Steve Cook, Ben Goby and Philip Baker, of Loadmasters, plus Alton Lions Colin March and Mike Baker.

The winners were: Best in Show - 1974 Citroen (Julian Lewis); President’s Award for Best Presented Vehicle - 1934 Morris 10 (David Woodall); Best pre-1970 Classic Car - 1960 Bristol 406 (Christopher Balfour); Best post-1970 Classic Car - 1987 Ford Fiesta (Tony Fisher); Best Commercial Vehicle - 1954 Fordson Van (John Watson); Best Motorcycle - 1975 Triumph Trident (Robert Law); Best American Car - 1957 Lincoln Premier (Richie Gee); Best Presented Feature Car - E-type Jaguar (Steve Opacic).

Sponsorship came from East Hampshire district councillor Emily Young, Specsavers, Shrunken Head, Bill Rawles, Legacy Direct, Keith Gotts, The Swan and the Antico Lounge.

Organising committee chairman Mike Baker described the event as “the best since Covid”, adding: “I would especially like to thank all those owners for braving the weather forecast to bring their beautifully tended vehicles into town, and the crowds of visitors who came out to admire them.

“Thanks also to the volunteers who turned out to help - including The Stig - and Alton Lions Club for organising and staging yet another successful town centre classic car experience.”