Austins to Brighton

More than 300 Austin Seven lovers, including the club chairman Howard Annett, who lives in Rowhook near Horsham, took part in the Austins to Brighton.

The route took them from Woodcote Green Garden Centre in Wallington, to Warlingham and then on to Westerham, Edenbridge and stopping for coffee at Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill.

After a short break, they raced off through Lindfield, up Ditchling Beacon, down to Rottingdean on the final stretch to Madeira Drive, Brighton.

Cars were flagged away from the garden centre at 8.30am by the Deputy Mayor of Sutton, Hamish Pollack.

Club chairman Howard Annett says the car ‘revolutionized the British motor industry’.

He said: “The Club was started back in 1969 and caters for owners living in London and the Home Counties and now boasts over 650 members.

“They don’t hold the run to Brighton every year as they don’t want it to become boring. They organise the event on special occasions. 2005 saw the Centenary of the Austin Motor Company and 2009 saw the 40th anniversary of the Club.”