Stars and their cars braved storms and gales for the 107th London-to-Brighton veteran car run in the worst weather in memory.

Among those travelling the 57 miles in 378 rain-soaked cars were Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Antiques Roadshow host Michael Aspel and EastEnders actress June Brown.

Michael Aspel got lost on his way to join the run.

The former This Is Your Life presenter, who was filming a special episode of the Antiques Roadshow, kept driver Quirina Louwman waiting for more than an hour in Crawley, where he was meeting her for the final leg of the route.

The Dutch driver, whose family own the famous car from the 1953 film Genevieve, said: "It was cold but fantastic. We had no problems but we had to wait for Michael Aspel. He lost his way in a modern car."

Michael said: "It was one of the wettest runs on record but it was as good humoured as it always is. They're all mad people who take part so they don't get affected by some things like normal people do.

"I did the last 20 miles in the most famous car in the world. It was the greatest thrill ever."

Other famous faces included Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who was third across the finish line just after 10.30am in his 1901 Panhard et Levassor, and soap stars June Brown, better known as Dot Cotton from EastEnders, and Jonathan Wrather, who plays Coronation Street's Joe Carter.

Lashing rain and fierce winds meant a higher number of breakdowns than usual.

Of the 415 cars registered, 37 did not even make it across the start line and a further 61 failed to arrive in Brighton.

John Hunt, Lord of Worksop, was among those who faltered on the way.

His 1904 De Dion Bouton gave up the ghost just after the halfway stop in Crawley.

The 75-year-old said: "It's the first time we haven't made it in eight years. But we'll be back."

The other 317 historic cars battled through relentless rain before sweeping elegantly on to the seafront at Madeira Drive, Brighton.

Australian John Hughes crossed the globe to drive a Penhard et Levassor across the finish line.

The Sydney resident said: "There's nothing like it in the world. It's a unique event. Even the bad weather didn't stop me enjoying it."

Cars built before December 31, 1904, are eligible for the 57-mile run from Hyde Park.

This year, special permission was given to drive past Buckingham Palace.

The first car to arrive in Madeira Drive at 10.40am was car number 154, a Panhard et Levassor Tonneau driven by Bill Ainscough, from Jersey, in just over two and a half hours.

The next cars to come were:

59, a 1900 Napier driven by Christopher Thomas
96, a 1901 Panhard et Levassor driven by Nick Mason
156, a 1902 Napier driven by Johnny Thomas
152, a 1902 De Dietrich driven by Michael Banfield
86, a 1901 Panhard et Levassor driven by Michael Bradbook
251, a 1903 Sunbeam driven by John Carter
257, a 1903 Lanchester driven by Douglas Blain
92, a 1901 Mors driven by Stephen Hammerton
270, a 1903 Berliet driven by John Bentley.

First over the start line was car number 1, an 1895 Peugeot Via-a-vis, registration number A34, driven by Tim Loder from Sussex.

His father, Robin, and brother, Chris, also took part in the run travelling in their own cars.