Thousands of people enjoyed a classic and supercar show which, it is hoped, has raised as much as £40,000 for good causes.

Organisers of the event at Sherborne Castle estimated that 12,000 people visited the show, making it one of the most successful ever.

More than 2,000 vehicles were on display including those from private owners and car clubs, 130 supercars such as McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Aston Martin and 10 race cars such as F1 Ex Nelson Piquet Benetton, Ford GT40 and the 27 ltr Meteor special.

The show was attended by Paddy Hopkirk MBE, a rally driver from the 1960s to 80s, who brought along his 1962 Monte Carlo winning Mini, and world rally driver Brian Culcheth, who is the show’s patron.

And this year marked a special anniversary for Land Rover, with the British Motor Museum lending their 1953 Royal Ceremonial Land Rover, used by the Queen and Prince Philip, to celebrate 70 years since the firm began.

Organisers have thanked the dozens of Rotary Club volunteers who have their time to make the show a success, as well as exhibitors, sponsors and visitors.

Show secretary Stuart Annett said: “In the 15 years to date seldom have we experienced such continuous fine weather in the build up to the show.”

The show grounds looked ‘magnificent’, he added.

“At 2pm the air filled with the sound of rally cars being prepared for their parade, led by our famous celebrity guest for the day, Paddy Hopkirk, driving a mini cooper ‘S’ to full rally specification. Paddy had been signing autographs and chatting with the public in the rally marquee alongside the mini in which he won the 1964 Monte Carlo rally, straight after the parade he is filmed giving a very amusing interview recounting stories from his past and current activities.”

Cheques were presented to category-winning car clubs by the main sponsor, Lancaster Insurance.

Mr Annett said: “The day has seen some 2,000 plus cars on display, there have been around 12,000 people at the show and to top everything the organisers expect to donate around £45,000 to local charities. We give a huge thank-you to the Rotary volunteers, all the exhibitors including private individuals and traders, those who support us as sponsors or in kind and of course the visitors who make this possible.”

The show will return next year on July 21.