St George’s Day Sheringham to Holkham car rally set to raise more than £6,000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance

A record 400-plus vintage vehicles lined up on Sheringham's main car park this morning, for the start of the tenth anniversary North Norfolk Classic Vehicle Club (NNCVC) St George's Day run to Holkham Hall.

Cars, ranging from Minis and Morris Minors, to Porches and Pontiacs, were waved off from the packed Station Road car park by town crier Andrew Cunningham-Brown and mayor David Gooch, with entrants taking one of two, two-hour routes to the historic estate.

Cars drawing admiring glances from onlookers ranged from Rolls Royces, Jaguars and Bentleys, to a replica of the Ecto-1 car from the 1984 movie Ghost Busters, a 1929 Alvis Silver Eagle owned by Rochelle and David Halsall, from Hundon, Suffolk, and – the oldest car on display – a 1912 Model T Ford.

Stalham couple Mike and Julia Morcher, who took part in the run in their Norfolk-made Triking three-wheeler Morgan replica, which is powered by a Moto Guzzi motorbike engine, have been club members since 2011.

Mr Morcher said: 'What is so nice about the club is the good company, the nostalgia and the enthusiasm, and it is great having the chance to take part in such a fantastic social event.'

NNCVC secretary Roy Beckley said the run, which is held as part of the Federation of British Vehicle Club initiative Drive it Day, had attracted just 45 entrants when it was held for the first time in 2007.

Since then, the club has grown to more than 200 members, with the annual event raising upwards of £5,000 a year for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Mr Beckley, who set off for Holkham in his 1972 MG Midget – bought as a surprise 50th birthday present from his wife Pat 27 years ago – added: 'What is so rewarding is that although we ask for a £10 entry fee, most people give at least £15 and some even donate as much as £50 and, this year, we had raised £6,000 before we even set off.'

He thanked North Norfolk District Council, run sponsors East Anglia Car Auctions and the Earl of Leicester, who gave permission for participants to line up for a photo at the front of Holkham Hall.