A Classic Car Show comes to Walsall

Hundreds of enthusiasts showed off their vehicles at the Classic Car Show in Walsall.

From buses, vans and land rovers to MGs, Jaguars and stretch limos, they were all at the Walsall Arboretum Extension yesterday.

Visitor numbers were thought to be in the region of 2,500, and organiser Geoff Price said he was pleased with the turnout.

He said: "We have about 400 cars and attendance has been good as the weather has held off.

"The young motorcycle riders' show was popular and car clubs have their own stands to add a bit of interest."

Among those at the event was car enthusiast Jonathan Brooks, aged 60, of Portland Road, Aldridge, who was showing visitors that they can still arrive at their wedding in style without the usual white car and ribbon.

Mr Brooks owns two restored 1960s VW camper vans which he has transformed into wedding cars and hires out. He and his son, Martin, 36, who helps out with the business venture, were showing off the burgundy vans at the show.

He originally bought one of the vans in Los Angeles, America, for himself, and had it restored before he shipped it back to England.

He said: "I am a photographer by trade, so I'm into the whole wedding world, and started hiring it out for weddings.

"The business has grown since 2004. It's more popular this year because it's the 60th anniversary since the camper van came out. People like it because it's a surf icon, and it represents the pop festivals and the hippy era.

"I do this more out of love, it's a fun thing to do."

Mr Brooks has recently added a 1969 Beetle Cabriolet to his collection, which he is also renting out for weddings, and has given a name to each vehicle.

The original 1968 camper van is called Honey, while the 1966 van is named Martina and the Beetle is called Alfie.