PAINTWORK gleamed and chrome glinted in the sunshine as 14 classic cars and one motorbike gathered in Hereford's High Town to raise money for St Michael's Hospice.

The vehicles, which are all owned by members of the Historic Hereford Transport Society, prompted a great deal of interest from members of the public.

The owners, many of whom had restored the vehicles themselves, were on hand throughout the day to chat to passers-by, hear reminiscences from those who remembered owning, or learning to drive, in similar cars, and to hold the collecting buckets. The event is held by the club each July to raise money for St Michael's, and members of the public always give generously, this year helping to raise £800.81.

Many of those who donated recalled a friend or relative who had benefited from the care offered by St Michael's.

The oldest car on show was a 1934 Wolsley Wasp, complete with a plastic model of a wasp. The most modern was a Lotus Elan from 1972 in the red, white and gold colours of Gold Leaf Team Lotus.

All the cars were British except for a Heinkel 'bubble-car' produced in Germany, with fluffy dice hanging from the windscreen and a nodding dog on the parcel shelf. The motorbike was a Japanese 'Monkey Bike' which created a lot of interest because it was under three feet high, but still legal to ride on the road.

For more information about the Historic Hereford Transport Society, or to join, call membership secretary Bernard Nash on 01432 272243.