It's been a firm favourite on Suffolk's events calendar for more than 40 years.

And now a number of local charities have received a boost after the success of the popular Grand Henham Steam Rally.

Although some inclement weather hit the 43rd annual rally at its spiritual home of Henham Park on September 16-17 last year, a full programme went ahead as planned as thousands of people descended on the venue near Southwold.

The success of last year's rally was highlighted at a recent event as organisers presented cheques to a number of local charities.

At the rally's annual presentation evening, outgoing chairman Mike Powell-Evans presented donations to the rally's beneficiaries and chosen charities.

A spokesman for the event organisers said: 'As a charity itself, the rally raises thousands of pounds each year for local organisations and following a successful 2017 event, donations were given to representatives from Wangford and District Community Council, Southwold (Sole Bay) Lions Club and the parochial Church Councils of Sotherton, Wangford cum Henham and Uggeshall, as well as Clinks Care Farm, the Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund (HCNCF) and the Sandra Chapman Centre at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.'

The presentation evening, which was held at Southwold Golf Club, was also an opportunity for the organising committee to say thank you to the many volunteers who make the rally possible, including Dr Powell-Evans who is standing down as chairman after 13 years.

Marking this special service, Dr Powell-Evans was presented with a watercolour of a traction engine, painted by local artist Lenny Townsend.

Details of the 44th Grand Henham Steam Rally have been announced – with the event taking place on September 15-16 at Henham Park.

It will offer a fantastic family day out with amazing displays, parades and attractions as well as hundreds of vintage and classic vehicles, working steam engines, live music, a vintage fairground, heavy horses, avenues of trade stalls, crafts and much more.

To volunteer with the rally visit www.henhamsteamrally.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.