One of the four most important street car venues in the world is Braintree.

The annual rally, which is the biggest of its kind in Europe, is the centre piece of the Braintree Extravaganza and organisers are putting the final touches to this year's event due to be held over the August bank holiday weekend.

About 400 customised hot rods will take part in the parade through the centre of the town and hundreds more are expected at the Essex Showground.

This will be the fifth time Braintree has held the event which has been dubbed by National Association of Street Clubs chairman, Neil Meredith, as one of the four most important street car venues in the world.

Other hightlights include children's fairground rides and street entertainments.

As in previous years, traders will be given the chance to cash in on the event by offering visiting members of the NASC discounts during thier stay.

Derek Salmon, manager of Braintree's George Yard shopping centre, said: "The procession will follow the same route as last year which allows us to have more cars.

"Because this is going to be the third biggest event of it's type in the world we are expecting hundreds of visitors from all over Europe and even the world.

"As a result I will be opening George Yard on Bank Holiday Monday and I anticipate a large number of traders opening because of the number of European visitors around who will have stayed to see the Great Leighs show on Sunday."

While the event is taking place, temporary road closures will take place in Market Place and along High Street.

The holiday extravaganza will run all day on Saturday, August 26 with the parade taking place between noon-1pm.

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