GLORIOUS sunshine and temperatures hotter than Barcelona or Athens drew the crowds for a weekend of events around Worcestershire.

In the city, as temperatures hit 28C (82F), the Worcester News Motor Show saw dealerships lining up to turn the High Street into a car showroom.

Shoppers and visitors took a look inside the newest models, including the Renault Megane Sport 250 and the Jaguar XJ.

There were also a few classics glinting in the sun, including an E-Type Jaguar and a pair of Austin Healeys.

Motor show organiser Louise Avery said: “It was a huge success and the weather really helped us get people out.

“This is a great chance for people to come and have a look at all the cars without having to go to the dealerships.”

Meanwhile, spectators cheered from the riverside as rowing crews from across the country battled it out on the Severn for the Worcester Rowing Club’s summer regatta.

It wouldn’t be a British summer weekend without a school fete, and Ombersley Endowed First School held theirs on Saturday.

There was maypole dancing, pony rides, a bouncy castle, raffle, tombola and henna tattoos.

However the biggest draw was the plate smashing stall, with youngsters pitching hard to break old dishes, cups and saucers.

Headteacher Mari Jones said: “We’ve had about 200 people in and the weather has helped. It has been fantastic.”

Shrugging off the heat of the day were the hard-working Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s young firefighters, who were on the parade ground at Droitwich fire station for their passing out ceremony.

Nine young men and women gave a textbook display of firefighting drill in front of the fire authority’s Peter Jones, chief fire officer Mark Yates, and friends and family.

Branch volunteer trainer and watch manager Ade Taylor said: “They’re taught core skills, drill and words of command and undergo 15 weeks’ training like a full-time firefighter. It gives them a good foundation in whatever they want to do, but also feeds in to our full-time staff.”

Most improved young firefighter award went to Ben Godwin, highest achiever award was won by Callum Milnes and watch award was handed to White and Green watches.

Meanwhile, on Sunday Morris Minors took over Croome Court, near Worcester, while 150 years of rail links at Foregate Street and Great Malvern stations were celebrated with the unveiling of two station signs in the instantly recognisable style of the famous Great Western Railway.

Nancy Andrews, granddaughter of Malvern’s old station master Thomas Franklin, addressed a crowd on the Malvern platform during the unveiling.

She recalled a royal meeting on the same platform in the early 1900s between her grandfather and the future Queen Mary, who presented him with a tiepin for his hard work.

“She said to him ‘I don’t think it will be much use to you, however’, as he had a very long beard,” said Mrs Andrews.