From gleaming new Porsches to vintage Mustangs, cars of all kinds attracted a record crowd to this year's Argus Motorshow.

Serious car buyers mingled with families during the two-day event at Brighton Racecourse, easily beating last year's turn-out of more than 15,000 visitors.

Millions of pounds worth of gleaming cars were shown off by dealers from all over Sussex for the show's 16th consecutive year.

Main sponsors Rivervale had a sparkling array of Mercedes, Porsches and Mazdas drawing admiring glances and attracting serious interest from potential buyers.

Among those looking to park an executive car on their driveway was fast food restaurant owner Stephen Hanson, 37, from Shoreham.

Mr Hanson, who owns Uncle Sam's burger bar, was at the show with wife Sally, 28, and children Lauren, nine, and Jack, six.

He said: "We have just bought a BMW 325i for £32,000 and are looking for another car.

"We enjoy coming to The Argus Motorshow every year because it is so easy to look around at what is available.

"It is not like the dealer showrooms where you get pounced on the second you walk through the door. You can really take your time to look around."

This year there was more family entertainment than ever before.

There were queues for the Thomas The Tank Engine land train and to visit the two giant softplay parks disguised as inflatable cottages.

Bargain hunters were able to browse the trade stalls in the Sovereign Fairs craft, gift and food marquee.

In addition to the latest models on offer from the main dealerships there was a display of classic and vintage vehicles.

They included Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, vintage sports cars, including a 1938 MGVA Tourer, and American classics such as a Plymouth Fury and a Ford Mustang.

Southern FM's breakfast show presenter Nicky Keig Shevlin, who has just bought a new Mini Cooper, was at the show.

She said: "I used to drive a BMW but Chandlers at Portslade persuaded me to try the Mini Cooper and I love driving it."

Emma Stokes, a sales executive with Chandlers, said: "We had a family here on Saturday to look at the Mini Coopers who went straight down to the showroom and bought a car on the strength of what they saw."

Malcolm Hance, a director of Rivervale, of Victoria Terrace, Portslade, said: "We have had a lot of interest and expect to translate that into firm sales of up to six cars which is a very good result."