THE star vehicle out of nearly 500 gleaming classic models on display at the weekend was not the oldest, speediest or most expensive, but it was perfect in every way.

The modest bright red 1961 Ford Anglia, restored by John Merrington in his Washington, Wearside, workshop, was picked out by judges at the Northern Vintage Transport Association's silver jubilee rally held at Witton Castle, County Durham, at the weekend.

Mr Merrington collected the Best in Show and the President's Choice trophies for his car, which had been off the road for 30 years before he found it in a barn in 1968.

He spent the next year collecting the right fittings for the model.

He said: "It was covered in rust and there were mice nesting in the roof lining. Chickens had lived in it for 30 years.

"It came up really well. It had only been used for seven years until the owner had problems with the water pump and took it off the road.

"Now it has a new engine and it goes really well."

When new, the car would have cost a basic £639 - more if the driver wanted a heater.

Judge Ray Hornsby, from Blaydon, said: "It was absolutely right. The best cars aren't the ones which are tarted up with things that don't belong.

"Some owners made the mistake of doing too much.

"This car was exactly as it would have been when it came out of the showroom. It is not the most expensive one here, but it was faultless."

As the two-day rally ended yesterday afternoon, organisers appealed for help in finding a 15-year-old girl who had not been seen by relatives since a disco at the castle on Saturday night.

Police said later she had been found safe and well.