The first Lavenham Vintage Volkswagen Show saw early models of the classic German car converge on the village from as far afield as Italy, Portugal, Holland and Belgium.

Set against the backdrop of the historic village square, owners of the gleaming vans, cars and trucks described it as one of the best events they had ever visited.

Claude Knockaert and his brother Pascal arrived in a convoy of four immaculate1950s VW Beetles with five of their friends from Belgium.

Mr Knockaert said: "We visit VW events all over Europe but this is the best, most picturesque any of us have been to.

"The people here are so friendly and I very much hope they put the show on again next year."

Parked close by was Piet Neyrinck, his wife Katrien Vanhule and children Nemo, 13 and Noah, nine.

Surrounded by onlookers in their Westfalia 1960 De Luxe Camper Van – bought from two sisters in America – the family arrived in the village from their Belgian home in Oostend via Dunkirk, Dover and The M25.

"It was definitely worth it," said Katrien. "I don't think you could find a more spectacular setting with so much history than here."

The show, believed to be the first of its kind held in the UK, included many of the earliest built VWs still on the road. The VW, originally designed to move people efficiently along the autobahns of Germany has become a worldwide cult classic.

Mick Gooding, 67, of Canhams Road, Great Cornard, said there was just something unique and totally reliable about them.

Standing by his 45-year-old Beetle he said: "I have always driven Beetles.

"As soon as my three daughters were old enough they all had Beetles, too.

"I knew I would never have to worry about them when they were out driving in one, they're as strong as a tank and just keep going."

jonathan.schofield@sudburytoday.co.uk