Traffic was at a standstill all along the seafront in Walmer on Saturday but no one was complaining.

The cars were the finest selection of famous and iconic makes from down the years as the Deal Classic Motor Show returned.

More than 800 vehicles including the DeLorean, featured in the Back to the Future movies, and a Daimler owned by Sir Norman Wisdom, who grew up in Deal, were parked from the Paddling Pool nearly up to Walmer Castle.

The annual event attracted up to 18,000 visitors, which organiser Chris West said, as well as the number of exhibitors, is a record for them.

He said: “The thunderstorm in the morning did not deter people. Not only classic exhibitors but also visitors came from all over the country.

“London Aston Martin Owner’s Club attended for the first time and enjoyed fish and chips on the green by their cars.

“The last thing they said is that they must come back again.”

For the first time ever, the show had its own court. Sarah Williams, 34, now of Ashford but formerly of Deal, was queen, with daughter Ella, six. Chantelle Rowley, former Miss Deal 2014, was the second princess.

They collected donations for Martha Trust, a charity based in Hacklinge which cares for people with profound disabilities.

Another highlight was Tom Ward, an up and coming superbike rider from Canterbury who also dropped by.

Mr West said: “It’s now a really established national event on the classic car calendar and people are really endorsing that.”

Thanks have been given to the Walmer Lifeboat and its volunteers who helped on the day. The event is likely to have raised at least £5,000 to help towards the work they do.

Mr West has also thanked the classic buses who attended and sponsor Bayliss Executive Travel which displayed its Sheffield United coach.

Pick up this week's Mercury - out today - for a full spread of pictures, taken by photographer Tony Flashman.