Visitor numbers up at British show

The British Motor show has been hailed as a great success by its organisers after revealing visitor numbers have increased on the inaugural event two years ago.

This year's show, which finished last Sunday, attracted 472,300 visitors, a 14% increase on the 2006 event at London's Excel.

There were 23 world debuts at the show, and 60 manufacturers exhibited 600 cars. As well as the metal on display, visitors could drive Mazdas on a handling circuit, go off-road in Land Rovers and listen to the likes of Alice Cooper and Blondie during evening rock concerts.

Show organisers say they are already preparing for the next show in 2010.

'No sooner has this show closed than we start planning the next one!' said the show's marketing director Kirsty Perkinson.

'We have had a terrific range of events and exhibitors this year, and we will have to work very hard to raise the stakes again in 2010, but we are ready for the challenge.'