MATT Baker and his Morris van pipped rivals to the post with a first-place finish in the 1960s category at the Blenheim Palace Festival of Transport yesterday.

The 1968 Morris 800 Commercial beat competition including a Mini and a military Land Rover to be crowned car of the show at the second day of the festival.

The 28-year-old RAF air frame technician at RAF Brize Norton said: “This is the first show I have been at and I won best in show so I will just have to go to another.

“I’ve only had the van since March and it’s the first vintage vehicle I’ve owned.

“I volunteer at a number of vintage railways and we always wanted a van to go with the hobby.

“The Morris seemed to be the most reliable.

“It was a superb event, I will definitely be back next year to see if I can do the same again.”

Festival organiser Jude Greenwood said heavy rain had caused disruption but they had managed to carry on with some adjustments.

She said: “Normally we use over two or three fields but we have had to compact the show.

“So we still have a commentator and judging but instead of going over three fields we have had them on one of the main show fields.

“There are still a lot of visitors here, people have their umbrellas up but it is just not very pleasant.”

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