A steady procession of Bentleys, Rolls Royces, Morris Minors, MGs and even a drag car had to be turned back after a torrential downpour forced organisers to cancel a popular show.

But many drivers, some travelling long distances, had already arrived for the Swale Vehicle Enthusiasts' Club 23rd annual event.

Organisers had put up marquees on Saturday and more than 20 stallholders had been booked for the classic car extravaganza, but the organisers had to put the brakes on the show because there was so much water.

It was due to be staged in the football field opposite Sheppey Sports Club on Sunday.

Organiser Penny Booth said they had no choice but to cancel.

They made their decision at 7am on Sunday, when they frantically rang round to inform people.

There were more than 300 classic cars due at the show and for some it was too late as they were already on the road.

Mrs Booth said: "The pitch was completely waterlogged and unfortunately we can't control the weather.

"About 100 people turned up with their cars and they had to do a U-turn in the car park.

"We really appreciate people's support and are very sorry that we had to cancel - I think it's the first time that it has happened in the show's history."

Fellow organiser Colin Ormerod said: "I spend about three weeks of my life each year organising the show and we had banners and trophies made up all ready for the event.

the football field as the vehicles would have chewed it up and people would have been sinking in the mud.""We couldn't have put the show on in

He added: "Going to a show in a vintage car costs a lot of money and you might have to pay £50 or £60 in petrol to get there.

"One driver of a drag car had put in £100 of fuel and said he would be diverting to Santa Pod Raceway in Northants."

Treasurer Bob Hanson said: "The show takes around five or six months to plan and we probably lost about £1,000 to £1,500 after it had to be cancelled."

Stallholders were also out of pocket, including Rotarians who had purchased 1,000 coconuts for their coconut shy they had planned for the event.

Unfortunately the coconuts were not the only tropical feature of the event - the downpours were tropical too.