RACING is underway at one of the biggest vintage car meetings in the region. Celebrity chef James Martin is among the 223 competitors at the Croft Nostalgia Meeting this weekend, racing in a 1960s Mini.

The event continues tomorrow, with a huge range of Second World War aircraft, military vehicles and hundreds of classic and vintage vehicles.

Thousands of people are expected to attend across the weekend, which includes air displays by a Battle of Britain Memorial Spitfire and a Jet Provost and Isaacs/Hawker Fury stunt bi-plane tomorrow.

Martin is driving a 1963 Austin Cooper S in the historic touring car race, which takes place later today at 4.50pm.

He has qualified 13th fastest out of 22 drivers and also second fastest in his class, just 0.3 seconds away from the fastest in class.

He said: "I've not been to this event or driven at Croft before but it's a bit of a Northern Goodwood. There are already quite a lot of people and the event seems to have a great atmosphere and I'm having great fun driving the circuit as well."

Admission to the event costs £20 tomorrow, with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted free. For more information, visit croftcircuit.co.uk or call Croft Circuit on 01325-721815.