From the oldest to the newest – it was all there for scores of visitors when Sandbach's famous Transport Festival rolled into town.

Sandbach vintage vehicle collector, Matthew Jodrell, was showing a 1928 Morris Cowley which was commissioned during the war and saw service at RAF East Kirkby in Lincolnshire.

The 26-year-old, who lives in Elton Road, Ettiley Heath, was on hand to answer questions about the stunning 94-year-old vehicle, originally registered in Birmingham.

Matthew an engineer said: "The vehicle has a lot of history. It was converted into a commercial vehicle and was commissioned by the Government to go to RAF Kirkby.

"It must have ferried crews to and from Lancaster bombers and carried food and goods around the base.

"After the war, in 1946, it went back to its owner in Birmingham and was then used in his business."

Other vehicles on show included an Austin 7 from the 1930s, an MG dating back to 1943, a Sunbeam Talbot from around 1950 and a Ford Cortina from 1965.

advertisement

Bang up to date, and perhaps at the top of most people's price range was the Bentley Bentayga with added gadgets – including a champagne cooler and TVs and a cool £240,00 price tag!

The famous festival was first held in 1990 and apart from a two year break due to COVID, has been held every April since then.

Sandbach Mayor and town councillor, Geraint Price Jones told visitors: "It's so good to be back together as a community following COVID-19.

"This is a great opportunity to celebrate getting back to normal and the town's rich transport heritage.

"With the Foden business being the town's largest employer from 1887 to 2006 and the second being ERF, it's essential that we use this festival to remind people how important the manufacturing of trucks and transport is to the history of Sandbach.

"Please take time to visit the stalls and exhibits and see all the marvellous entrants in the transport festival. Thank you once again for attending."

Hundreds of people turned out for the two-day event this Saturday and Sunday with Robert's Bakery Band leading the traditional parade of vehicles through the town on Sunday.