ALTON played host on Saturday to the 16th annual Herald Classic Car Show.

More than 100 vehicles, out of the 200 forecast, braved the weather to park up in the town centre, among them vintage, veterans, classic cars and motorcycles, some of them having driven as part of the rally which, led by the Herald van, took them through the surrounding countryside from Lasham airfield, where they were hosted by the Gliding Society, to Alton’s Market Square.

Others had gathered at Anstey Park, where the 8th Alton Scouts were serving bacon baps and coffee, before parading along Anstey Road and into the town centre.

Despite the rain, which arrived earlier than expected in the morning, people turned out to admire the vehicles and to enjoy the live entertainment in the Market Square featuring music and song from the Dolomites, Mike Twiddy, Vox Vintage and Marianne Smith. The Triple Aces were stood down due to the decline in the weather which led to an early presentation of trophies and the vehicles departing before the scheduled end of play.

The judging too had been brought forward with Alton Town Mayor Derek Gardner leading the team accompanied by Sgt Jordan Horesman of the 613 (Alton) RAF Air Cadets. They were joined by Simon Farrant, on behalf of the Herald, and Alton Lions’ president Paul Taroni and his wife, Samantha.

Winning the Herald trophy in the Best Classic Car class was Kenneth Day from Basingstoke with his Black 1969 Jaguar E-Type, bought six-years ago and subject to a three-year renovation, which stood out enough to bag Mr Day the award for Best in Show.

Taking the award for the Best American Car was Christopher Livesey, a member of the Solent Renegades from Havant, with his impressive white and turquoise 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe, bought from Pebble Beach, California in 2004 and shipped directly to the UK.

Winning the award for the Best Classic Bike was Rob Jackson from Alton with his 1922 AJS 350cc B1Sports Bike, made by and for the British market, which had undergone a four-year restoration, where possible using authentic parts.

The award for the Best Trade exhibit went to JD Motors of Alton whose director, Dave Drew, had brought along his white racing Mini, transported into the High Street aboard a JD Motors breakdown recovery vehicle. According to Mr Drew the mini has been raced all over the UK and Europe in Club Motor Sport events, winning countless trophies.

And taking the coveted trophy for the most money raised for charity was Jan Russell and Phil Roulds from Aldershot who arrived aboard their white and blue striped Ford Mustang Mk4.

Money raised through donations during the event will be divided between the Alton Lions, who provided the marshals and were raising funds for Diabetes UK, and the town mayor’s charity which this year was Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre.

Also on show throughout the day was a display by Energy Alton of electric vehicles, an arts and antiques street market, a fine display of Mazdas, and the Mission Motorsport Poppy car - a Jaguar F-type SVR, covered in poppies using the words of the poem In Flanders Fields, which was parked by The Cairn war memorial on Crown Hill.

It is gearing up for the 2018 Race of Remembrance from November 9-11 on the Anglesey circuit and run by BARC, the 12-hour endurance event this year commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the sacrifices made by all service personnel and their families.