CLASSIC cars attracted a record number of people to the 12th Andover Spring Vehicle Meet and Autojumble.

Around 10,000 people converged on Wyke Down's fields on Easter Monday to see vintage vehicles including fire engines, motorcycles and American cars. Vehicle entry was 60 per cent up on last year.

Landlord of the Wyke Down pub, Peter Read, was pleased with the extra business the car event brought.

He said: "The vehicle meet has got bigger with every year - the only thing holding people back was that the weather was not as nice as it could have been."

Organisers Dave and Jennie Palmer attracted a huge variety of vehicles by ensuring there were no restrictions on entry - sticking to their motto of 'if it's interesting, it's in'.

Owners took the opportunity to chat to other like-minded enthusiasts about their vehicles, giving the event a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The Spring Vehicle Meet heralded the start of the season's classic car meetings in the UK and raised money for local charities, one of the main recipients being the Lord Mayor Trelor School for physically handicapped children. Other proceeds from the day will be split between St Peter's Church at St Mary Bourne, St Mary Bourne Primary School, the Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton Hospital and the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.