HUNDREDS of lovingly cared-for old cars chugged the 60 miles from london to Brighton yesterday to mark the 120th year of the longest running motoring event in the world.

More than 450 vehicle owners began the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in Hyde Park yesterday morning and the speediesy started to cross the finish line in Madeira Drive at around 10am.

The Royal Automobile Club, which organises the annual event, anticipated the most heavily contended race to date.

Retired Graham Beckett, from Lincoln, got to use his 1902 single-cylinder Darracq for the tenth time.

Mr Beckett said: “We had a very good run down.

“I have used it outside of the runs but have been very busy in previous years.

“The highlight for me was getting here and passing the finish line.

“We were in with the first 25 cars so we made good progress on the route and got a very good reception when we got to Brighton.”

The race, in brighton sunshine, marked the end of London Motor Week, a seven-day celebration of everything automobile.

The oldest car, an 1893 Peugeot Type Three, led a varied pack containing petrol, electric and steam-powered vehicles from the pre-1905 era as they crawled towards the finish line.

Paul Chappell, 53, a mechanic, from Silverstone, said: “This is my second time doing the run and we got down to Brighton in about four and a half hours.

“The journey was quite a chore but was good fun.

“With the modern roads, roundabouts and traffic lights as soon as you come to a stop you just need to get going again as fast as possible.

“I used a single-cylinder Durant car which was a quick car in its day.”

Among the celebrities who signed up to join the race this year was adventurer Charley Boorman, who drove a 1904 Rover 8hp from the British Motor Museum.

BBC presenter Alex Jones was due to follow the run in a fleet of classic buses, all carrying successful bidders who raised money for BBC Children in Need.

Tom Purves, chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said: “Few events in today’s international calendar can claim such individuality, personality and character.”