HUNDREDS turned out to watch a convoy of classic cars as Worcester's petrol heads gave a big thank you to carers during the coronavirus crisis.

Engines roared, car bonnets gleamed and horns sounded as a convoy of 40 eye-catching vintage cars cruised through Worcester to make sure no-one forgot what has been billed as the last clap for carers on Thursday. Organiser Nick Ryland said he was 'blown away' by the reaction to the 'cruise for carers' which he organised after he was moved by the sight of people, some elderly and struggling to stand, clapping for carers in the streets where he grew up. The 35-year-old said of the cruise: "The reception around Northwick Road, Seymour Avenue and Southall Avenue was absolutely mindblowing. The amount of people down there was insane."

He has already received messages of thanks from NHS workers, including nurses. The convoy headed from its starting point in Claines, through Northwick and several residential streets, including the Blanquettes estate, before finishing up at the traffic island near the crematorium.

Among the cars to turn heads were a dark red 1966 Ford Galaxie, salvaged from a ruin in a barn and rebuilt from the ground up by Marc Huxley. The convoy gathered in the industrial estate in Checketts Lane before setting off with Mr Ryland leading the pack in his Former British Telecom Ford Escort van from 1996.

A Mustang, an orange Mark I Ford Escort, Minis and a distinctive turquoise VW Beetle, built back-up over eight years by Paul Richards turned heads in the crowds which lined the streets. It was outside Mr Richards' business, body shop PMR Automotive in Checketts Lane, that the convoy assembled before the cruise for carers roared into life. Also in the procession was a Land Rover Defender driven by Ben Thompson, carrying an NHS rainbow flag, symbol of the heroism of carers during the crisis. James Waldron and Aimee Sealey of Fresh Image Limited, based in Pershore, provided large Worcester Retro rainbow stickers for the club's convoy. Also in the motorcade was Chris Bishop of CWB Autos in Blackpole, behind the wheel of a red four door Escort with hydro-dipped bumpers, Jon Knight in a 'rat-look' Vauxhall Corsa which he 'bought on eBay by accident' and Mr Ryland's partner, Claire Watkins, in a Rover Metro from the early 90s.