FAMILIES, steam enthusiasts and vintage transport lovers flocked to a rally today.

The sun shone for the first day of the Abergavenny Steam, Veteran and Vintage Rally which is being held in Bailey Park, in the centre of the town.

The rally includes displays of vintage cars, motorcycles and steam transport as well as fair organs offering musical accompaniment to the event. One of the highlights was the grand parade of steamers around the town.

Crowds enjoyed displays by Team Kinetix who did parkour and acrobatics, mountain bike skills, shire horse displays and the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.

President of Abergavenny’s Rotary Club Patrick Foy said the annual event is their biggest fundraiser of the year.

“This is the highlight of our year and it take a lot of organising,” he said. “The money we raise goes to Rotary International projects, local charities and we are involved in local schools.

“We raised over £30,000 last year and we had 12,000 people attend over the two days and that’s magnificent.”

Cllr Maureen Powell, chairwoman of Monmouthshire council, was invited to the event.

She added: “The rally brings a lot of people here and local people enjoy seeing the old machinery and engines, it is a grand day.

“It’s lovely to see all the vehicles that have been restored, and a lot of time and love goes into them. It’s nice that they have a place to come and exhibit them and for the younger generation to see what we had.”

There are also a number of stalls selling military memorabilia as well as charities and local organisations in attendance.

Cllr Powell added: “It’s not just standing around looking at things, there are lots of things on offer.”

The rally continues tomorrow from 9.30am until 6pm. Tickets are available at the gates, adults are £7, secondary school children and OAPs £4 and younger children can enter for free.

Find out more at abergavennysteamrally.co.uk,