RECORD numbers of visitors and exhibitors attended an historic vehicle rally held at a stately home yesterday.

Newby Hall and Gardens, near Ripon, hosted about 1,700 vehicles and thousands of visitors for the Historic Vehicle Rally.

As well as cars, the rally attracted vintage and veteran bikes, scooters and military and commercial vehicles.

Participants came from as far afield as Jersey, Penzance and Northern Ireland and the oldest vehicle dated back to 1902.

There was also a large auto-jumble, which attracted more than 100 stallholders.

Newbny Hall administrator Stuart Gill said the sunshine helped the event draw the crowds, particularly after a miserable run of rain.

He said: "It's the first time the sun has shone in about a month. The crowds came in their thousands and everybody enjoyed themselves.

"We haven't got exact figures yet, but it is certainly a record number of exhibitors and looks like being a record attendance as well.

"It's really great because, like everybody, we've suffered with the wet weather and this makes a great start to our summer season."