WHEN John Shaw promised his then bride-to-be an Austin Metropolitan when they married, she didn’t realise she would have to wait so long.

It was decades later that she had her dream car and at the weekend the couple won the top prize at the White Horse Classic & Vintage Vehicle Show.

John explained Freda always wanted a red and cream Austin Metropolitan car when they were courting fifty odd years ago.

He said: "I did promise we would get one, but it took years later before we bought one.”

The couple, from Gillingham, purchased and renovated their fun car three years ago, taking it to nostalgia events, and dressing to suit the 60s period.

They entered the White Horse Classic & Vintage Vehicle Show on Sunday and won the Best Vehicle award.

Mrs Shaw said: "It’s a real fun car and I just love it and winning the award just completes the romantic story.”

The event held under the Vale of the Westbury White Horse is the second vehicle show organised jointly by the Trowbridge and Westbury Lions Clubs. It attracted 420 pre-booked classic and vintage vehicles with more entered on the day.

Among the cars on show was a 1996 Marcos Mantara that was making a return to its birthplace town.

Owner Colin De La Cour said: “As the show was held in Westbury, where the car was built, it was a must-show to attend and chat to people that once worked at the Marcos factory.”

Paul Moxham, of Bromham, brought his immaculate 1930s Chrysler Royal Coupe to the show lining up with other veteran American cars.

Westbury businessman Steve Wordley not only brought a 1966 Austin Cambridge to the show but also a Robin caravan from the same era.

He said: “People are interested in these old vehicles as it reminds them, as it does me, of the ones childhood being taken out in their parents’ cars.”

Among the unusual at the show was a Westland Scout helicopter, a renovation project being undertaken by Westbury software engineer Nigel Coward.

He said: “I used to go to air shows at Middle Wallop and was always interested in the helicopters and recently bought this helicopter to renovate.”

One of the vehicles that attracted a lot of interest was the Tuk Tuk – an auto rickshaw belonging to Westbury’s Jon Titley.

He said: “I use it every day. It’s the best transport going, it can potter along at 40 odd miles per hour and goes for ever on a tank of petrol.”

The joint Lions show has been hailed such a success that the organisers already have set a date for next year.

Lion Phil Hamlen, who came up with the idea of organising the vehicle show, was pleased with the response he received.

He said: “We had some great comments about the show with many saying what an ideal location for such an event and with its friendly atmosphere making it an annual fixture for the future.”