FUNDS were raised for charity in a chic event as the Lymington Italia Festival returned this year – with 50 Ferraris on show in a convoy through the town.

The iconic cars – which are all owned by members of the Wessex Ferrari Owners’ Club – roared from Lymington’s Yacht Haven to Pennington Cross, then up Stanford Hill, along Southampton Road, down Avenue Road and along Gosport Street, before entering the High Street.

The drivers stopped for a day-long stay alongside stalls selling Italian-themed snacks and treats. From aperitif Aperol – which is reported to be making a comeback – to pizza, and more affordable toy cars, there were hordes of stylish Italophiles in the town centre.

There was also face painting, Italian clothes, handbags and artisan gifts as well as a hog roast, fish and chips and a BBQ as well.

A raffle, with a wide range of prizes including a ride in a Ferrari or Aston Martin, will be match-funded up to £1,000 by Barclays.

Mayor of Lymington and Pennington, Anne Corbridge, said: “Every year this event exceeds all our expectations. It’s great fun for the whole family, and I’d like to thank in advance our sponsors, the choir, the stall holders and the local businesses who have kindly donated some very desirable raffle prizes.”

Cash raised will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Sue Niekirk, for the Lymington and New Forest branch, said: “We’re honoured to have been chosen by the mayor as her Italia Festival charity for 2018. The branch doesn’t receive any funding from the national MS Society, but relies on its own fundraising together with donations from generous groups and individuals.”