Doncaster's Cusworth Hall Museum grounds were transformed by an exhibition of 46 Morris Minor cars brought to the venue by enthusiasts from all across South Yorkshire.

And organisers from the Barnsley Morris Minor Club today pledged to return because of the success of their first event at the former country house.

Previous club gatherings have been held at Barnsley's Elsecar Heritage Centre but club members decided to branch out this year.

And hundreds turned out to see the vehicles which included most versions of the famous car, built commercially from 1948 until 1970.

An unexpected bonus for the show arrived in the form of a 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom, brought to the show by an enthusiast who decided to visit the event on the day.

The club's branch secretary Barry McKenzie has only owned one of the vehicles for three years - but before that he had borrowed vehicles from his Minor-mad son.

He said: "My son, who lives in Worcestershire, wanted a Mini when he became old enough to drive, but he was very tall and a Mini was a bit small for him!

"He decided to get a Morris Minor van. As often happens when people get a Morris Minor, he decided he wanted another one because he liked it so much, and he ended up with a sizeable collection.

The 75-year-old, from Chapeltown, Sheffield, previously secretary of the Railton Owners Club, added: "He has 15 of his own now. He went on to become a professional car restorer, specialising in Morris Minors.

"When he lived up here still I used to borrow one, and now I have one of my own because I became a fan myself."

The club is hoping the weekend event will have prompted more fans of the classic car to join their ranks, and a number of enthusiasts met them for the first time at the event.

Others turned up in different classic cars including Triumphs, a Morris Oxford and even a Ford Capri.

Some turned up from as far afield as Manchester.

Barry reckons the enduring appeal of the Morris Minor is down to it having been such a practical car, and says many are still in everyday use.

He added: "It is considered to be the most practical of all the classic cars.

"Internationally there are 13,500 members of the Morris Minor Owners Club, and that makes it one of the largest classic car clubs around.

"We think there must be about 25,000 cars that have survived even though it is nearly 40 years since they were manufactured - and that is quite remarkable."

Anyone interested in joining the club can call Barry on 0114 246 8357.

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