A fleet of vehicles powered into Maldon as part of a gathering by military vehicle enthusiasts.

The Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association annual winter gathering, fondly called the Bum Freezer by its members, saw more than 70 vehicles park up at Maldon’s Promenade Park.

Vehicles ranging from 1940s motorbikes and Jeeps through to Vietnam War-era trucks and Cold War tanks were on display along with weapons and equipment used by the Army through the years.

It was the first time the event had been held at the Prom after moving from its previous home in Heybridge.

Chairman Colin Tebb said: “This is the first time we have had the event on Maldon Prom so we were uncertain of how many vehicles would arrive, but to be honest we were overwhelmed by how many braved the cold weather to attend, same goes for the public attendance, so we can certainly say the event was a huge success this year.”

Members from Maldon’s own Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club had volunteered to help marshal vehicles.

Overall, as many as 1,000 members of the public passed by to see all the vehicles on display.

Show organiser Shaun Morgan said: “The event has been running for more than 30 years.

“The gathering started during the early 1980s in Heybridge Basin.

“After a while we had too many vehicles turning up so had to move to a larger venue, so we used the field at the Millbeach pub just down the sea wall.

“This was a great venue with live music and a fantastic view over the Blackwater Estuary but with Maldon Council kindly allowing us space on the promenade it now gives us much more space to expand the event in future.”