CLASSIC car fans were given a treat yesterday as 100 vintage motor vehicles passed through the region.

The vehicles, dating from as far back as the 1930s, set off from Land's End in an endurance rally that will see them get to John O'Groats tomorrow.

Yesterday morning, the procession arrived in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, before passing through Catterick, and on to Tanhill, Barnard Castle, Stanhope and Edmundbyers.

Driving in all weathers through the night, the contestants received a warm welcome in the North-East as enthusiasts lined the roads to give them a wave.

The regional coordinator for the event, Bob Redhead, said: "It is going very well so far. We have had a terrific response from the people of the North-East, who have been ringing me at home to find out when we were arriving and what route we were taking."

Last night the drivers and their co-drivers were taking a well-earned rest at a hotel in Newcastle before setting off early today for the next leg of their journey.

It is the first time in two years that the event, organised by the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation, has been held. It took to the roads for the first time in 1993.