VINTAGE motor enthusiasts from all over East Lancashire brought their classic cars to Burnley yesterday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Towneley Hall.

The cavalcade of cars set off from Helmshore Textile Museum in the morning, calling in at Rawtenstall and the Weavers Triangle in Burnley before stopping in Towneley Park.

The cars, including a 1931 Ford Sedan and a 1926 Model T Ford, drew admiring glances from young and old alike.

John Hartley, of Colne Road, Earby, brought a red 1933 Austin 7 Sports Special to the show.

John, 55, said: "This car is a head turner, I like to think that ladies like it the most, but children enjoy looking at them."

The owner of the 1926 Model T Ford, the world's first mass produced car, John Gillett, made the trip from his home in Wood Crescent, Wilpshire near Blackburn.

John, 64, bought the car while visiting his son in Texas. He said: "My son is working out there in Fort Worth.

"I got talking to some blokes one night and one of them told me about the car. It was rotten, the bodywork was terrible.

"We shipped it back to London, trucked it home to Blackburn and stripped it from top to bottom."

The crowds gathered around the car yesterday justifying John's hard work.

The drivers and their cars were met at Towneley by the deputy Mayor of Burnley, Lillian Clark.

After chatting to the drivers Coun Clark presented the drivers with a commemorative cup.

She said: "They are fantastic. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant."

One of the first cars to arrive at the park was a 1931 Ford Sedan that had all its original parts and had never been restored.

Proud owner, Frank Smith, of Colne, uses the car every day.

Frank, 71, said: "Everything about the car is original.

"In the last thirteen years it has only done 1,000 miles, but I use it all the time that's what it is there for."

After the presentation ceremony and exchanging tips and stories with other drivers the cavalcade made its way back at a dignified pace through the park.