THOUSANDS of people were drawn to a Suffolk airfield at the weekend for one of its most popular events.

It is thought at least 9,000 people turned out for this summer’s Heart Air Display and Classic Car Show at Rougham Airfield, near Bury St Edmunds.

It is an event which draws plane and car enthusiasts in equal measure with the wide range of air and land machines on display.

There were at least 20 aircraft involved in the displays, including rare war-time machines, and more than 200 classic cars.

A highlight was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with a Spitfire and a Hurricane, with some of the other planes to take to the skies including a Fiat G46, a B-17 Sally B and a Strikemaster jet.

In the classic car show a Jaguar E-Type won best in show and a Rover P3 – described as a “real showstopper” – won first prize for the pre-1950 era. Those with a love of machinery were also kept busy inspecting military and commercial vehicles, tractors and a steam engine.

Mary Smith, one of the organsiers, said it was probably the busiest day she had seen at the airfield this year.

She said: “It’s really good. Today is really bustling, there’s a really good atmosphere.

“There’s lots of people here and they all seem to be enjoying themselves.”

Miss Smith said as well as the plane and car enthusiasts, many families had come for the day out.

At the site, other activities included a fairground, a music cafe with a live band and the Suffolk Land Rover Owners Club was doing off-road rides for charity.

A donation from the event’s profits will to the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity.