Stunning rare cars were back on the road for the long awaited return of the Hardy Country Tour.

The charity tour, which saw vintage vehicles travelling through picturesque Dorset countryside, was back after a two year break caused by the pandemic.

It was organised by Weymouth-based club Transport of Yesteryear.

More than 80 cars assembled at Higher Bockhampton Farm Business Park (by kind permission of the owner Mr. M. Jones) for the start of the tour and Dorchester mayor Janet Hewitt flagged the cars away in glorious sunshine.

The oldest car taking part was a 1920s Austin Burnham with an eclectic mix of stunning and rare cars up to the 1980s.

Drivers undertook a 65 mile road run through some of the most scenic parts of Dorset along some often very narrow lanes.

They stopped for lunch in front of Lulworth Castle and the finish was at the Riviera Hotel at Bowleaze Cove,Weymouth.

Money raised from the event will be used to support Weldmar Hospicecare.

An extra £50 was raised from the auctioning off of a nine litre bottle of Belgian beer donated by overseas-based Transport of Yesteryear members Olivier and Corine, who recently paid a visit to Weymouth and met fellow club members for the first time in six years of membership.

Club chairman Carle (CORR) Grahame said: "It was a very successful event. We now attract entries from as far away as London, Bristol and Devon.

"We would like to thank our sponsors Nantes solicitor and the 'dip shop' and all the local businesses that supplied prizes for the chairman's raffle."

The Hardy Country Tour 2023 is due to take place on Sunday, June 4.