A VINTAGE tractor rally recently saw over 50 vintage tractors turn out in the beautiful spring sunshine in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance.

The tractor show, organised by local fundraiser Mary Phillips, raised £1,582 for the charity and was attended by a large crowd and 54 vintage tractors from across Devon and Cornwall.

The show was held at Hatherleigh Cattle Market in conjunction with Vicks Auctioneers, who held an implement, machinery and hand tool sale on the day.

Mary said: 'The day was absolutely brilliant.

'The weather was beautiful and we had 54 vintage tractors — pretty much one of every kind and colour.

'I went to the top of the steps at the market and looked down on them, and they looked fantastic in the sunshine.'

The amount raised on the day was made even more impressive by the fact the event was free to enter, with the amount raised coming entirely from donations.

Mary added: 'Everybody was so generous, people were putting money into pots left, right and centre.

'I cannot thank all the tractor drivers and visitors enough, and as ever, Vicks were so generous in letting me use the market for free.'

Mary says the icing on the cake was the two times the Devon Air Ambulance circled the show while returning from emergency callouts, to thank everyone for their support.

Mary raised more than £6,000 for both the Devon and Cornwall Air Ambulance's at the end of last year by driving her tractor from Hatherleigh to St. Teath, and raised £4,500 the year before.

She says she hopes to hold another tractor show next year, after the astounding success of this year's rally.