MORE than 200 vehicles of all shapes, sizes and eras drove into Alton last Saturday – attracting both good weather and a healthy crowd there to enjoy the 15th annual Alton Herald Classic Car Show and Rally.

Car lovers came from as far afield as Southampton, Wimborne, Guildford, Farnham and Haslemere – with some getting held up en route in the chaos surrounding the M3, which was closed at Winchester after hazardous material was thrown onto the carriageway from an overhead bridge.

Around 20 vehicles joined the rally, meeting early in morning for bacon baps and coffee at Lasham Gliding Club before driving through the countryside, led by The Herald van, taking in the villages of Herriard, Upton Grey, South Warnborough and Holybourne before arriving at Anstey Park to lead the parade of vehicles into town for the start of the show.

Run by the Alton Herald and Alton Town Council, with marshalling support from Alton Lions, the town centre was packed to the gunnels with a wide range of classic, vintage and veteran cars, military and emergency vehicles, American classics, veteran motorbikes and modern motors courtesy of Yeomans Honda, Town and Country Cars at Holybourne (Suzuki), and Winchester Motor Company (Skoda).

Among the High Street displays were Energy Alton, there to answer questions about the practicalities of owning and driving an electric car; a glider, courtesy of Lasham Gliding Society; an arts and antiques market, brought by Southern Market Traders; and impromptu performances by busking accordion player Marianne Smith and Alton Morris.

At the heart of the event, the Market Square hosted live performances from acts such as The Triple Aces three-piece band, Dance on the Line, the Holybourne Singers Young Voices, Michael Twiddy and Dancing for Dementia, who also hosted free dance lessons at Alton Assembly Rooms.

Broadcaster Paul Le Feuvre was compere for the day, supported by Wey Valley Radio, which was broadcasting live for the duration from the Town Hall.

The vehicles were judged throughout the day by Alton mayor Dean Phillips, Alton Herald representative Simon Farrant, Alton Lions president Michael Gwynne, Alton Town Council business development manager Julie McLatch, Chris Banks from Winchester Motor Company, Mark Benham of the Solent Renegades, and Tony Fenhill of Lasham Gliding Society.

Presented by the mayor, the awards went to:

* Best Overall Entry, Best American and Best Turned Out: Chris Burroughs (Farnham) for his 1952 Ford Victoria.

n Best Classic Bike: Mike and Connie Baker for their 1962 Triumph Thunderbird.

* Best Motor Trade Exhibitior: Yeomans Honda from Farnham.

* Most Interesting: Carl and Suzanne Tantum for their 1928 Trojan Achilles open-top saloon, complete with original blue paintwork and an engine underneath the driver’s seat.

* Best Military Vehicle: Mrs Pat Skinner for her 2008 Dog Replica WWII Ford Jeep.

* Best Vehicle: Rod Harvey and his 1968 Fiat Gamine ‘Noddy Car’.

* Most Money Raised for Charity: Roger Cope with his 1978 MG BGT.

Donations made by drivers and members of the public during the event will be split between the town mayor’s charity and the Alton Lions, whose chosen charity this year is the Alton Stroke Group, in memory of former Lion Robert Athis.