MOTORING enthusiasts from all over the country packed out the eighth annual Wroughton Nostalgia Show.

The sedate curves of aristocratic Daimlers and Rolls-Royces vied for attention with sporty Capris, groovy bubble cars and flashy Chryslers at the Wroughton Science Museum.

The most ambitious show in its eight-year history boasted more than 3,000 exhibits, from motorbikes and steam engines to military vehicles and ancient fire engines.

Co-organiser Margaret Macon said: "We have a great line-up this time around. One of the big treats is a display of rare Daimlers and a whole variety of other things. There is something for everyone."

More than 15,000 people attended the show last year and organisers are confident that the number of visitors this time around will have been even more.

Visitors were treated to a visit from a 1950 Green Goddess Daimler, one of the largest ever built and weighing in at four and a half tonnes. The huge vehicle, on loan from the Jaguar/ Daimler Heritage Trust, was one of only four to be made.

It shared a tent with a lovingly restored 1897 Daimler.

Looking after it for the weekend was Kevin Bennett, editor of the Daimler Owners' Club magazine, The Driving Member, who said: "These cars are unique. Together they would probably be worth about a million for insurance purposes, but it is difficult to put a price on them because you just could not replace them."

Another big attraction was a 1973 Bedford TK Domestic fire appliance, restored to its former glory by Swindon firefighter Paul Wincote, who has collected firefighting equipment since he started as a fireman in 1977.

He explained: "It just started out as a hobby and now it has grown into something bigger than that."

Other attractions over the weekend included helicopter rides, a display of working steam engines, agricultural machines, vintage bus rides and antique stalls.