GLORIOUS sunshine has helped make an Otley-based classic car drive and display a roaring success.

Chevin Motor Club held its Charity Rally 'n' Run, a two-pronged fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, on Sunday, May 8.

The event included a 63 mile drive which started from the car park of Stephen H Smith's Garden Centre and followed a picturesque route that took in the likes of Leathley, Ripley, Masham, Lofthouse and Pateley Bridge.

Club Secretary Tony Pinder had put together the route using small, lesser known roads to ensure the drivers enjoyed some fine views of the Yorkshire Dales.

In Otley's Market Square, meanwhile, a batch of other classic cars - including a Chevrolet Impala and a 1955 Ford Pop Hot Rod - were on display and attracted viewers all day.

They also drew in passersby to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance stall that had been set up nearby.

Mr Pinder said: "The weather was brilliant and the whole event was just fantastic.

"Everybody enjoyed themselves and both parts of the day, the run and the display, went really well.

"Everyone who went on the run said it was a fantastic route along roads they hadn't even known had existed before!

"We had about 50 cars in total and everyone who took part paid a £10 entry charge with all of that going to the Air Ambulance.

"We think, added together with the money from the barbecue we had on the day, we should have raised about £600."

This was the first event of this scale that the club, a long-time supporter of the Air Ambulance, has held.

Given all the positive feedback, however, it will not be the last.

Mr Pinder added: "Everyone who went on the run asked if we'd be doing it again next year, so we're already on with it!

"It will be a different route though, to keep it fresh.

"The biggest challenge in putting on the run was finding a car park big enough to take all the cars before we set off but luckily Stephen Smith's was great and said 'yes, no problem'.

"And every car made it back to Otley too - I counted them all out and counted them all back in!"

Chevin Motor Club has about 51 members and meets at The Otley Tap House, on Boroughgate.

It has no membership fees, with all of its newsletters sent out by e-mail.

For more details send an e-mail to chevin.motor.club@hotmail.com .