A VINTAGE car with a claim to fame won first prize for the best old car award at Killerton Gardens Old Car Show, after wowing judges for a second year running.

And the show success was not the first time the 1934 Standard 10 saloon had been in the limelight — it featured as the vet's car in the classic television series All Creatures Great and Small and as the detective's car in Miss Marple.

Owner and vintage car enthusiast Colin Fry, who is 77, won the award after entering the vehicle in the competition on Sunday, June 7.

Mr Fry, from Throwleigh, also won second prize at last year's competition and said to secure the first prize meant the world to him.

He said: 'I have been trying to get first place for the last two or three years and now I have finally got it.

'I have always been interested in old cars, ever since I was little — I just love them.

'For the last ten years I have bought partially restored cars with my son, who helps me to do them up.'

Mr Fry said he made an extra special effort this year.

He said: 'I went all out to win. I put lots of 1930s memorabilia in the back of the car — a 1930s picnic basket, a gramophone, various old-fashioned cameras and papers to do with the war.'

Mr Fry's collection of vintage cars ranges from a 1936 Singer Bantam, one of only nine left in the country, a 1954 Standard 8, a 1955 Standard Super 8 and a 1934 Standard 10.

Mr Fry said showing cars gave him a great deal of satisfaction.

He said: 'Knowing that my son and I have done them up and taken so much time over them is a great feeling.

'It also means I get to do something with my family, which we all enjoy because my grand-daughters often come along to the shows too.'

Mr Fry said he is hoping to get some extra help at this year's Okehampton Show.

He said: 'I was hoping to bring along some of my smaller cars to the show, but I need someone to drive them.

'I will be taking my 1934 Standard 10 and my 1936 Singer Bantam, but could do with someone for the smaller cars.'

Anyone who is interested in helping Mr Fry can phone 01647 231644.

Mr Fry is pictured at Killerton with his grand-daughter, Sarah Armstrong and his winning car, the 1936 Singer Bantam.