Classic car cavalcade to herald fair

The final preparations are being made for this weekend's annual Whittington Countryside and Craft Fair.

This year's event offers visitors the chance to taste some of the best produce Staffordshire has to offer and they can get up close to one of the world's rarest cars.

Now in its fifth year the show will be again raising money for community projects including the area's First Responder Team.

Held at Bit End Field on Saturday the fair will be heralded by a cavalcade of classic cars, led by the 1909 American built Moline – the only one of its type surviving.

Retired engineer Mike Bagworth has spent more than seven years restoring it, after rescuing it in bits from its home in the Mid-West where at one time it was used as a saw bench and even a plough.

Now back to its original glory, the priceless vehicle with a mighty 5300cc engine will lead the parade from the Swan Pub to the showground where this year's Lichfield Bower Queen, Hayley Doyle, will officially welcome the thousands of visitors.

The public will then have the chance to visit more than 100 stands and stalls, including a new Country Produce marquee.

Other attractions include a floral art competition, gardeners' question time, scarecrow contest, displays of organic vegetables and for the first time tastings of English wines from the areas very own vineyard at Buzzards Valley in neighbouring Drayton Bassett.

In the main arena will be heavy horses, birds of prey, a dog show and new for 2008 model aircraft with the whole event being opened by Midlands Today weather presenter and weatherman Simon Keeling.

To date the annual fair has raised more than £40,000 for local groups and organisations.

It has been key to training and establishing the village's own team of volunteer First Responders who will also make an appearance.

Organiser Frank Bartlett said: "I think we have now firmly established the fair at the centre of village life and are seeing the benefits feeding through to the entire community.

"But above that, it's also a lot of fun for visitors on the day and the dozens of volunteers who work with the parish council to make it happen.

"I am convinced that this will be the biggest and best yet."

The parade of cherished vehicles will leave the Swan Pub in Main Street at 9.30am arriving at Bit End playing field at 10am with events running through until 4.30pm.