MOTORING enthusiasts took a journey back in time at the weekend when they steered a cavalcade of lovingly-restored cars through the North-East in an annual test of safety and reliability.

The 31st Beamish Safety and Reliability Run, starting and ending at Beamish Museum, followed a picturesque route through the Pennines.

Event organiser George Jolley said: "It has gone very well. We had fine weather this year, which was a blessing. There was an excellent turnout with more than 100 vehicles taking part."

It was the first time since the foot-and-mouth outbreak that the run returned to its normal 150 miles route.

Among the highlights of the event were a rare 1927 Lorraine Dietric of Franco/ German origin, three chain-driven Frazer Nashes and a handmade 1950 Dellow sports car.

In keeping with the Golden Jubilee celebrations, organisers lowered the entry to allow in all vehicles registered before 1954, to include those from the years of the Queen's accession.