Motoring enthusiasts braved unseasonably cold weather to indulge their passion as they gathered together for an old meets new car rally in York.

Part of the vintage car display at Knavesmire, seen from the clock tower at York Racecourse

Knavesmire played host to hundreds displaying their cars or just having a look around the Minster Motor and Leisure Show 1999, which is jointly sponsored by the Evening Press, Minster Lions and Minster FM.

The two-day motoring spectacular, which closes at 5pm today, is a mix of the old and the new, with vintage cars bumper-to-bumper with the very latest in motoring technology.

Visitors can visit a huge range of trade stands and inspect a wide selection of cars.

Despite the grey day, Gerry Watson, from Bradford, who brought along his green 1936 Talbot Ten Tourer car, seemed to be enjoying himself. He said: "I go along to these events nearly every weekend, but I like to come to this one in York because it's local.

There's always a great rapport among motoring enthusiasts, we see each other week after week in the summer months."

For those dragged along by enthusiastic friends and family, the show has something for everyone, including the children. The crowds were treated to a parachute display team from the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, based at Worsley Barracks in York.

And this afternoon, high-wire artist George Parlino was to take centre stage, with his act, High Tension.

High-wire walking is a dying tradition in Britain, but George's craft has been passed down from his father, Zak, who still occasionally performs himself although he is now in his seventies.

Geoff Hawkes, show organiser, said: "We are excited at the amount of people who have turned out today - let's just hope the sun comes out!"

Money raised through the show is being donated to the Minster Lions, who will pass it on to three local children's charities.

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