CAR buyers from across the region defied the heavy showers to attend this year's Scunthorpe Telegraph Motorshow at Normanby Hall.

The annual event, which is recognised as the highlight of the North Lincolnshire motoring scene, attracted most of the area's top dealers.

And, in spite of having to dash for cover from torrential rain on occasions, huge numbers of visitors turned out to see the latest cars and commercial vehicles on offer yesterday.

Jamie Mercer, 34, of Bushfield Road, Scunthorpe, has recently bought a Ferrari for his 20-month-old son Harry.

And he brought along the electric-powered toy for young Harry to drive around the grounds of Normanby Hall.

LITTLE TROUPERS: Majorettes perform in the rain at the Scunthorpe Telegraph Motor Show at Normanby Hall. Picture: Paul Torrie

"It seemed apt to bring it along today," Mr Mercer said.

"Harry has been driving about in it. But when he sees a dog he wants to get out and see the dog – his mind wanders," he said.

Mr Mercer, who currently owns a Ford Focus, was impressed with the range of cars on display.

"It's great, but it's a shame about the weather.

"I come here to look around, to see what the new cars are like," he said.

Paul Drummond, a 39-year-old public sector worker of North Lincolnshire, is considering swapping his Honda Civic for a new car.

And, he decided, there was no better place to compare the models on offer than the Scunthorpe Telegraph Motorshow.

"I think it's great. We have only been here for half-an-hour but it's great," he said.

"We are looking for a new car and it's just nice to get all the cars together and to see what we fancy," he said.

WHAT RAIN?: Car hunters ignore the bad weather as they have a good look around.

"We have got a growing family, we have got two boys, so we need something bigger," he added.

There was a wide range of dealerships displaying their latest mechanical offerings at the show.

But for Joanne and Gary Richardson, of Brigg, there was only one marque in contention.

Mrs Richardson, 34, a finance director, brought along their two children, seven-and-a-half-year-old Zak and his brother Jake, who is aged two-and-a-half.

Mrs Richardson said: "We come here every year to look at the cars. We have got a Saab at the moment. We like Saabs."

She was impressed with the range of vehicles on display.

"I like it. It's good to see the cars together and we like it here anyway," Mrs Richardson said.

As well as the gleaming modern machinery, there was a huge dollop of nostalgia with the stunning display of vintage Vincents motorcycles in the stable yard.

POSH CAR: Twenty-month-old Harry Mercer drives one of the nicest cars at the Scunthorpe Telegraph Motorshow at Normanby Hall.

Bikers from as far away as Germany had mounted their machines in order to take part in the Bill Hancock Rider's Rally.

Event organiser Jon Davies, of Burton-Upon-Stather, said: "We have about 30 Vincents and HRDs – the oldest of which is 1938."

This particular bike was bequeathed to the Vincent, HRD Owners' Club by a former member, with the condition it was ridden by members as much as possible.

Motorcycle dealer George Petch, of Grimsby, brought along a 1952, record-breaking 1000cc racing Vincent he has owned for the past 40 years.

And, at Normanby Hall, the machine was re-united with the engineer who actually built it all those years ago.

Jack Lazenby, 92, of Market Rasen, said he worked in the "special assembly" department at Vincent for 15 years.

"They would take 10 days or more to build one – perhaps even longer," he said.

Mr Lazenby said Mr Petch's Vincent had now been modified for road use. But, apart from that, it had changed very little over the passing years.

"It had straight-through pipes on it, but it's basically the same, although the footrests were different," he said.

Jayne Batram, motors media sales advisor with the Scunthorpe Telegraph, said: "There are still lots of people about – despite the rain.

"A lot of the stands have made a real effort with the displays with the World Cup.

"It's a really good turnout, in spite of the weather."

One of the most popular attractions was a football game on the Read Hyundai stand.

Owner Mike Read said business had been very brisk that morning.

"There has been lots of interest," he said.

And, he said, the charity football game proved a real crowd-puller.

"Its raising money for SOS Africa. We have had a lot of interest in that.

"We have even had people from the other stands coming over and have a go," he said.