THE festival season in Ludlow opened to the smells of food and engine oil.

People flocked to the town for the Spring Food Festival at Ludlow Castle.

But also on the menu was the Marches Transport Festival.

The two events mark the start of a season that will include the Arts Festival in high summer, the main annual Food Festival in September and finish with the Medieval Fair and switching on of the Christmas lights at the end of November.

Festivals not only play an important part in the social life of Ludlow but also bring in visitors that are so important to the economy of the town.

Most visitors came prepared knowing that May can have a knack of delivering all three seasons in a single day.

The weather was less than glorious but this did not prevent people turning up over both days in good numbers.

In any event, there was cover from the showers and the opportunity to warm up at a wide choice of food and drink stalls.

The cars ranging from the 1920s to modern classics from the 80s provided an added attraction and on Sunday there was also the opportunity to view a procession of vintage vehicles that travelled to the town from Leominster.