CAR enthusiasts are gearing up for this year’s London to Southend Classic Car Run.

Organisers are expecting 150 classic car enthusiasts for this year’s event, which will take place at a new venue on Sunday.

The popular event, which has been held along Western Esplanade near the Genting casino in Westcliff, was put in jeapordy over Southend Council’s plans to charge for every car parking space taken up by enthusiasts.

Organisers said they would have to cancel the event if they had to pay the £3,000 charge to park the cars from the Fifties and Sixties, but fortunately an alternative was found.

This year it will take place on City Beach in Southend.

Roger Petheram, of the South Eastern Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club, said: “The event is now in its 21st year. In it’s heyday we used to have about 200 turn up, but these days there are a lot of other events going on and people can’t go to all of them.

Families from East London used to come down for a picnic by the seaside, so we try to recreate that.

“We couldn’t have afforded to pay for all the parking spaces so the council has said we can move to City Beach and park there for free. We have got a bit of the Sealife car park as well and it will be nice to be near the pier and Kursaal.”

The club is open to any owners and enthusiasts of vehicles which are 25 years old or more. It’s a familyorientated club and is open to newmembers.

As well as the London to Southend Classic Vehicle Run, during the winter months, the club organises outings to museums, restaurants and places of interest.

For details visit essexclassicvehicles.

co.uk