CLASSIC car enthusiasts took part in one of the most scenic races on the motorists' calendar yesterday.

About 130 drivers joined in the 155-mile 37th Beamish Run, with some some of the older vehicles travelling at about 15mph.

The run started and finished near Beamish Museum, County Durham, and took in roads all over the Durham and North Yorkshire dales.

The vehicles, all of which were made before 1954, had to stop at ten checkpoints along the way.

But not everyone made it to the finish line, after heavy rain at Barnard Castle forced drivers of some of the convertibles to give up.

A 1913 Triumph motorcycle, ridden by Brian Smith, from Darlington, broke down at Wolsingham, and three vehicles had to be towed off the course after breaking down on the road through the Stang Forest, near Barnard Castle.

The course also had to be altered to avoid going through Stanhope ford because it was too deep.

The run's secretary, George Jolley, from Cleadon Village, said: "There was no way we could have gone through it.

"It was about 4ft deep, so everyone went round the bridge.

"In 37 years, we have never had to do that before."