MORE than 60 of some of the world’s rarest cars are visiting the North-East.

The Bentley Tour of Britain is visiting the region for two days and stopping off at Rockliffe Hall, at Hurworth, near Darlington.

The Bentley Drivers Club is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and the tour, which started last weekend, takes drivers on a 3,000-mile route throughout the UK.

The cars, some valued in excess of six-figure sums, started arriving at Rockliffe Hall at 3pm yesterday, where the drivers will enjoy a two-night stay.

Vehicles involved in the tour have been shipped in from across the globe and include drivers and cars from collections across Europe and as far afield as Japan, the United States and a number of vehicles from Australia.

Jenny Ford, of the Bentley Drivers Club, said: “This is by far the most ambitious tour we have planned yet and all members are very excited about it. Many of our members have already been made to feel very welcome by the staff at Rockliffe Hall.”

Nick Holmes, managing director at Rockliffe Hall, stated: “It was quite a spectacle to see all these beautiful cars arrive down our tree-lined entrance down towards the hotel.”

Members of the tour will take their vehicles out and around the region today, before heading north along the A1 towards Edinburgh early tomorrow morning.

􀁥 In an article in The Northern Echo on June 9, it was reported that Rockliffe Hall had won a contract to host a Premier League meeting after providing a cheaper quote than the long time location Stapleford Park, in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Rockliffe Hall has asked for this statement to be retracted as it is incorrect, and The Northern Echo apologises for any inconvenience or embarrassment caused to Rockliffe Hall.