Hundreds brave the rain for London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

Hundreds of drivers and thousands of spectators braved the rain for the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

About 550 cars – built before 1905 – were entered for the event which started in Hyde Park in London this morning (Sunday 2 November).

Almost 500 of them were reported to have started on the 60-mile route to the coast – the oldest a Panhard et Levassor from about 1892.

The event commemorates the Emancipation Run, held on 14 November 1896 to mark the Locomotives on the Highway Act which raised the speed limit from 4mph to 14mph.

The act also abolished the need for a man walking ahead of the cars waving a red flag.

They were sent on their way at dawn by Olympic athlete Sir Steve Redgrave, Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie and celebrity chef Paul Hollywood.

Among those taking part were the former Grand Prix team owner Ross Brawn and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.

Mr Mason is often among the first to finish although the organisers are always at pains to point out that the event is not a race.

Those completing the run – inevitably fewer than the number setting off from the capital – end up in Madeira Drive.