ROVER cars certainly made their "marque" when they lined up for a milestone celebration in Bury at the weekend.

About 40 classic vehicles went on show at the East Lancashire Railway in Bolton Street on Sunday (July 25) in an event organised by the North West region of the Rover P5 club.

The array of vehicles would have been greater but for the torrential rain which greeted visitors to the show, staged to celebrate 100 years of the Rover marque.

Mr Geoff Taylor, who helped organise the event, said: "If the weather had been better, then we would have had up to 40 cars. But about 30 turned up which was very good considering the conditions."

The models on show included Rover P4s, P5s and P6s, dating from the 1950s to the 1980s, two MGs, a Jaguar, a Morris Minor 1000 van and a Hillman.

To coincide with the show, Manchester's Transport Museum provided a 1953 ex-Wigan borough council double-decker bus which is owned by two Rover P5 club members.

Sunday's event attracted a host of car lovers who were able to view the vehicles on show as well as a display of artwork made from car components. The vehicles were located on the main car park at the side of Bolton Street station.

Judges scrutinised the cars before awarding prizes in six classes.

Class winners:

Best Rover P4: Mr. Bill Heywood from Nelson.

Best Rover P5: Mr. John Andrew from Sale.

Best Rover P6: Mr. Mark Youlton from Leyland.

Best "other" Rover: Mr. Jim Francis from Bradshaw. (Short wheelbase Landrover).

Best "non" Rover: Mr. Clive Hodgson from Ramsbottom. (Morris 1000 van).

Best Sports Car: Mr. John Hughes from Radcliffe. (E-Type Jaguar).