Video and pictures: Transport festival celebrates vintage vehicles and historic narrowboats

More than 200 vintage cars, motorcycles, tractors and buses joined a parade through the centre of Audlem, near Market Drayton, at its annual transport festival.

Historic narrowboats were displayed to hundreds of enthusiasts as part of a celebrated transport festival.

It took place on the canal at Audlem Wharf next to Audlem Mill and the Shroppie Fly over the weekend.

The display was part of the 16th Audlem Festival of Transport, which saw vehicles parade along the high street and a fun day held in the town. It also marked the launch of a working boatman's autobiography The Shropshire Union Fly-boats – The Jack Roberts Story.

Freda Weyman, Jack Roberts' daughter, was among those attending the event.

The personal record provides an insight into the days of working these fast narrowboats from the turn of the 20th century until services ceased after World War 1 and of Mr Roberts' later boating life.

The parade started from Hankelow Village Green and finished on Audlem's playing fields. The festival also included a display of historic narrowboats on the canal at Audlem Wharf next to Audlem Mill and the Shroppie Fly over the weekend.

There was an aerobatics display, food stalls and much more on offer during the day at the centre of the village.

Andrew Smith, one of the organisers, said: "I am absolutely stunned by the number of people that turned out in the rainy weather for this event. We had around 230 of the 330 vehicles booked in turn up for the day and it was brilliant. The highlight of the show was the Bentley for sure.

"This year marked the 16th year and it has just got bigger every time. It started by a group of us chatting in the pub all those years ago and it's gone from there really."

Michael Otter, who works for Bentley, said hundreds of people had shown interest in the 2003 Le Mans winner on display during yesterday's show. The number 7 car was transported to the village by lorry and was the star of the event.

Mr Otter said: "It's important to show off vehicles like this, it is very special and it's fantastic that Bentley can support brilliant local events."

Sue Cockton, 58, travelled down from Wigan for the day with her husband Andy, 66. She said: "It's been raining all day but it hasn't stopped us because we've been visiting for many years."

The event began as a one-off festival in 1996 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Audlem receiving its market charter. The festival was resurrected in 2000 to mark the millennium.