PETROLHEADS flocked to the city for the annual motor festival.

A wide variety of cars were on display in the city’s streets as part of the Worcester Motor Festival, on Saturday, May 20.

Dealers and classic car fans proudly displayed their vehicles at the festival, which has been running for 11 years.

Trevor Ratcliffe, aged 52, attended the show with his brother, Steve, and parked his 1965 Ford Zephyr 4 in Broad Street, Worcester.

He said: “I always wanted this car. I saw it at a car show five years ago. My dad had one as kids. “I thought ‘I have to have it’. I took his [the owner’s] number and rang him back up and bought it for £3,500.”

Mr Ratcliffe, of Fairmount Close, Worcester, said his wife moans at him because he keeps spending money on parts for the car.

“It’s an expensive habit. It gives me a buzz showing it off,” he said.

“I live in Worcester but go to lots of car shows. I’ve been going [to the Worcester show] for the last six years.

“I will be back next year. It’s a shame about the weather but it doesn’t stop us.”

His 49-year-old brother Steve Ratcliffe was also showing off his 1965 Ford Zodiac Mk3 at the festival.

“I have come to every event here,” he said.

“For the first one they had classics in Pitchcroft [Worcester Racecourse]. That was 11 years ago.

“I think the show’s getting bigger every year.”

Mr Ratcliffe was parked up alongside his brother and said that both of them shared a passion for classic motors.

“Modern cars haven’t got the charm. In the old era you knew what was a Ford and what was a Vauxhall,” he said.

“Now cars are all the same shape. It’s all plastic.”

Mr Ratcliffe, of Patterdale Drive, Worcester, followed in his brother’s footsteps when he started buying cars from his dad’s generation.

Cllr Steve Mackay, the Mayor of Worcester, said “The whole idea of the show is to encourage dealerships to promote their cars.

“The idea is to get people into Worcester. People can have a lovely day looking at the cars, especially petrolheads.”

Cllr Mackay said he has always liked cars and first owned an Austin A40.

John Price, aged 65, from Ross-on-Wye, was displaying his 1973 Ford Escort 1300E at the festival, which he enjoys showing off.

He said: “I like to show my pride and joy. It’s nice to put a smile on people’s faces.

“It was my auntie’s car. It turns the head. I had the chance to buy it at an exceptional price but didn’t know the value then.

“There’s not many around now. It’s a good investment if you buy the right car.” Mr Price said some models sell for between £12,000 and £20,000.

He said next year’s motor festival should have separate areas for different car brands.