A BORDERS classic car club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer

Vintage car enthusiasts in the Borders and north east of England will celebrate half a century of the Borders Vintage Automobile Club (BVAC).

The club was founded in 1972 after a group of 15 classic car owners from the Borders joined a tour of drivers from the North East Club for Pre-war Austins (NECPWA) – now the North East Restoration Club.

The English club drove from Newcastle Civic Centre to Kelso on May 20, 1972, and were joined by the Borderers before they were greeted by the Provost of Kelso.

On May 21 the group of vintage cars gathered for a display at Mellerstain House.

The event in 1972 inspired the Scottish drivers to form their own group and the BVAC was born.

Chairman of the BVAC Robin Wild, who attended the second show in 1973, said: “This is a momentous year for all involved in the Club and we’re thrilled to have such a strong member base still in existence after all this time."

Fifty years on, and with more than 200 members, the BVAC held a number of events at Mellerstain, some with more than 600 cars in attendance. In 2005 it was decided to move the events to Thirlestane Castle as the gatherings began to attract more than 1,000 vehicles.

This year, the BVAC will bring 1,200 automobiles to the castle grounds from June 18-19 for the Sir Jackie Stewart Classic.

The Classic is the biggest car rally of its kind and gives visitors the chance to admire veteran, vintage and classic cars, as well as motorcycles, American vehicles, and agricultural and military vehicles.

Mr Wild said: "Our biggest showcase will be the Sir Jackie Stewart Classic – presented by Rolex at Thirlestane, a prime opportunity for car enthusiasts and members of the public to see over 1,200 vehicles on display, each with its own story to tell.

"It’s set to be a fantastic show, all in aid of an important cause.”

The Sir Jackie Stewart Classic will be fundraising for the Race Against Dementia, a charity created by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE to raise awareness of the disease which has affected his wife, Helen.

Two weeks before the Classic, however, members of BVAC will recreate the original journey made in 1972 from Northumberland to the Borders. They hope locals will come out to see the great collection of classic vehicles rallying through the region from the north east.