ONE for the money, two for the show...

Lowestoft was rocking and rolling at the weekend as a celebration of 1950s music, cars and fashion styles brought a nostalgic air to the town's seafront.

On Sunday, Royal Plain was taken over by the Wildest Cats In Town Cruise which included hundreds of classic American and British cars, motorbikes and trikes.

The small army of vehicles had snaked their way down to Lowestoft from Pontin's in Pakefield at noon, attracting waves and admiring glances from passers-by.

Four coach-loads of rock 'n' roll fans were also driven to the event from Pontin's where they had been staying for a weekend convention.

As well as admiring the cars, the large crowd on Royal Plain was entertained by live music from Danny and the Seniors who soon had a number of couples jiving. And cameras clicked and people cheered as American stars the Collins Kids – famous for their 1955 hit Beetle Bug Bop and numerous 1950s television performances – and rockabilly veteran Sleepy LaBeef, from Smackover, Arkansas, put in an appearance.

They were joined by Lowestoft mayor Nick Webb.

Sunday's event was the tenth Wildest Cats in Town Cruise and about 1,400 people travelled from all over Britain and Europe to share their love of their favourite decade at the weekend convention.

The annual event is the idea of Ritchie and Kathy Gee of the Tennessee Club.

Mr Gee told The Journal: 'The Wildest Cats in Town Cruise is so well-known and popular in Lowestoft that people now come out of their homes to watch us pass. When we arrived at Royal Plain there must have been a thousand people waiting. The idea of having it here is it is just like a old fashion drive-in movie – but instead of a movie you drive into live music. It was a fantastic day and it was great to see so many out for it.'

He added: 'This is the biggest one we have done yet. It just gets more and more popular each year.'

As well as the Collins Kids and Sleepy LaBeef, the British band The Jets performed at the convention and received a lifetime achievement award from the organisers. The three brothers who make up the band – Bob, Ray and Tony Cotton – were said to be real ambassadors for rock and roll.

During Sunday's event on Royal Plain a collection was made for the St John Ambulance.

?The Tennessee Club has organised its next event at Pontin's – The Wildest Cats in Town annual Christmas party – from November 30-December 3. For details, call 01530 455657 or 07976 964086 or visit www.tennesseeclub.net