A MOTOR festival in Worcester helped city businesses move up a gear, drawing in thousands of visitors eager for a glimpse of gleaming classic cars from the golden age.

The 8th Worcester Motor Festival organised by Worcester BID in partnership with the Worcester News increased footfall in the city by nearly a third (28 per cent) on the previous Saturday,

Visitors enjoyed gleaming classic car and dealership displays and trails and window dressing competition.

This year visitors had the opportunity for window shopping and to vote for the best dressed shop window. Votes have been counted and the public’s favourite window was by Birch Hill Dog Rescue at Reindeer Court.

Entrants who cast their vote were also in for a chance to win prizes courtesy of local Worcester BID businesses. The winner of the Sub Studio Photography experience is Caroline Harley (Worcester), Odeon Cinema tickets were won by Ryan Clarke (Sheffield), Worcester Wargames merchandise was won by Matt Cheng (Stoke-on-Trent) and Wise Owl Toys’ Touring England game goes to Jay Corbishley (Droitwich). The Ultimate Party Shop bouquet of balloons goes to Viv Nelson from Nottingham. Mrs Nelson, who visited on a coach from Nottingham, said: “I had a lovely day in Worcester and the trail and window dressing competition were a great way of exploring different areas of the city centre.”

Independent picture framing and memorabilia business The Paint Box in Mealcheapen Street scooped the prize for the Santander sponsored best motoring themed window display, which was judged by a professional visual merchandiser. Keith Marshall-Walker, business owner, took great pride in receiving this prize for his outstanding shop window featuring eye-catching motoring photographs and vintage memorabilia. He said: “Our display also featured a Jaguar XK120. We are grateful to the Chateau Impney for the loan of the car, which made our display complete.”

Nadja von Dahlen, Worcester BID’s marketing and event Officer, said “Together with the classic and modern car displays this event attracted a great number of visitors from near and far and raised the city centre’s profile.”

Event visitors also enjoyed completing the trail, which featured 56 clues at city centre businesses. The winner of the afternoon tea at Boston Tea Party is Mrs J. Burton (Worcester), Mike Wright (Worcester) won a voucher courtesy of Individual Tailoring, the Midcounties Co-op Travel prize goes to Karen Reynolds (Worcester), a free meal for 4 at Mode will be enjoyed by Emma Cooper (Kidderminster) and Heather Fuller (Worcester) won the voucher for Rock Follies Vintage.

This year’s award for the best car display at the Worcester Motor Festival went to Andrew and Susan Mitchell with their AC Aceca Bristol built in 1956. Their striking metallic blue car was displayed at Broad Street and is a prototype and historic rally car - still racing today at circuits such as the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb.