THE UK’s biggest free commercial vehicle rally centred on Kirkby Stephen and Brough attracted more than 250 vintage registrations over the Easter weekend.

Well-preserved and lovingly restored buses, coaches, wagons, lorries, vans, Land Rovers and tractors were showcased at the 20th anniversary event. There were also military and utility vehicles, tractors and old pedal bikes.

One of the highlights is the vehicle run through the surrounding fells which took place on Saturday afternoon.

Visitors were ferried to the vehicles on display by taking advantage of the donation-only classic bus rides setting off from Kirkby Stephen station on the Settle-to-Carlisle Railway.

Thankfully the snowfall, which had hit the Pennines hard, missed the Upper Eden Valley allowing the vehicle run to go ahead under overcast skies. They cleared away on Easter Sunday to reveal Kirkby Stephen and the nostalgic vehicles on show in all their glory under bright sunshine.

Although a few wagons had not been able to cross the Pennines to attend the event due to heavy snowfall, there was a large number of lorries, buses, vans and military vehicles on display. A classic red London Routemaster No. 22 to Piccadilly Circus added to the colourful array of buses.

A 1951 Chevrolet pick up, which had been shipped over from California and still had the entry ticket to the 1951 California State Fair on its dashboard, attracted a lot of attention. Another highlight was a 100-year-old army truck that had seen service in the Great War.

This year’s event was organised by not-for-profit social enterprise Encounter Eden. Previously It following the retirement of Eden Classic Vehicle Group following the Hamer family’s retirement after 19 years in the driving seat.

The children’s mini-roundabout proved a very popular attraction and food stalls displaying local produce and freshly cooked food were a great success, filling the air with the smell of barbecued food. Some stallholders said it was the best small rally they had ever attended and would like to return next year, when the event will take place on Easter weekend, April 20 and 21.