HUNDREDS of people enjoyed a nostalgic day of vintage cars and miniature steam engine rides at Wimborne Model Town.

To cap off the summer season, visitors enjoyed free trailer rides around the model town before hopping on a 1950s bus to tour the real-life equivalent.

A wide range of classic cars and motorcycles were on display including three Morris Minors, a Jaguar MK2, a Standard Vanguard, and a Singer Vogue.

Biker enthusiasts were treated to the chance to get up close with a Triumph T21 and a 1952 Sunbeam S8.

Greg Hoare, Wimborne Model Town manager, said the event had proved a “great success”.

“There was a real divergence of visitors – youngsters have been looking at everything in fascination, while the grandads have said ‘I used to have one of those’ while looking at the classic cars.

“The core of the event was the three mini traction engines with trailers, which took visitors on rides around the model town. It was a great way to see it up close.

“The rear yard was transformed into a classic car depot, with lots of the vehicles donated by the Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club. One of the Morris Minors on display was the one I took my driving test in at the age of 17.

“We also had a lovely Frogeye Sprite on display, which is a beautiful car, and a very rare, shaft-drive Sunbeam S8.

“The bus that took visitors on free rides around the big town was courtesy of the Bear Cross bus company.”

He added: “The model railway was particularly busy, with a lot of people pressed in to watch it. It’s nostalgic and very exciting with the digital lighting, which illuminates the station day and night.”

Peckish visitors also enjoyed a vintage afternoon tea on donated classic crockery.

Later in the afternoon, 1940s entertainment duo The Land Girls performed a selection of wartime songs.

Greg added the event, which was organised for the first time last year, is set to be a regular feature on the model town’s calendar.

“We hope to build on it, but it’s already been three times bigger this year than it was last year, with around three times as many people visiting.”