OWNERS of historic vehicles are busy polishing them up for the 31st annual Ipswich to Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Road Run on Sunday.They will be heading out of Christchurch Park, Ipswich at noon.

OWNERS of historic vehicles are busy polishing them up for the 31st annual Ipswich to Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Road Run on Sunday.

They will be heading out of Christchurch Park, Ipswich at noon.

The event, organised by Ipswich Transport Museum, has proved to be even more popular than ever with owners of vehicles that achieve the 30 year minimum qualifying age.

Rally Director Colin Norfolk said "This year we have seen record numbers of over 500 entries, coming from across southern England, Wales and two vehicles will be making the journey from Holland.

"Such has been the popularity of the event that I have had to return over 40 entries because Felixstowe Promenade will not be long enough to accommodate them!

"Unfortunately we will need to turn away anyone who turns up on the day who has not already entered."

As well the commonplace manufacturers of today such as Honda, Rover and Ford there will also be examples from some less well-known makers from the halcyon days of motoring such as Calthorpe, Stanley and Coventry Eagle and even an example from the Ipswich sports car manufacturer Trident.

The event is free to spectators, made possible by the sponsorship of the Galloway Travel Group, the Suffolk based Holiday and luxury coach company.

Galloway's sponsorship has made this prestigious event financially viable once again.

The commemorative programme for the event will include a competition with a prize, donated by Galloway, of a holiday for two adults and two children to go to Disneyland Paris.

Ipswich Transport Museum also acknowledged the help received from the Evening Star with staging the event again.

The Mayor of Ipswich will start the vehicles off from the Soane St gate of Christchurch Park at noon and the vehicles will travel by Woodbridge Road, Heath Road, Bixley Road, Felixstowe Road to join the old A45 via Nacton, Levington and Trimley St Mary to eventually join the Promenade via Maybush Lane.

The vehicles will be displayed on the Promenade until around 5pm and are expected to extend from the former Herman de Stearn home at Orford Road right the way past the Pier, the Spa Pavilion and back to somewhere opposite the Fludyers Hotel.

The Deputy Mayor of Felixstowe will present the prizes at 4.30pm in Felixstowe Leisure Centre, next to the Pier.