THE 20th annual open day of the unique private collection of more than 60 tractors and related farming and transport memorabilia held at Coldridge on Saturday, July 3, raised a record £4,600 for the North Devon Hospice.

The show is open to the general public for one day each year to raise funds through an admission fee and by providing refreshments and a raffle.

It was attended by more than 700 visitors.

The collection of tractors has been assembled by building contractor Michael Thorne over a 27 year period.

He has been holding his charity day for the last 20 years for a variety of good causes including Devon Air Ambulance Trust, the Children's Hospice South West, Greenpeace, and the Eve Appeal. The North Devon Hospice is in its fourth year as a beneficiary.

Tractors on show dated back to 1936 including six tractors from AGCO (MF Limited) including a number of rare prototypes. Of special interest to enthusiasts were a 1950 Ferguson Tractor fitted with a Meadows diesel engine, a Massey MF35 fitted with a Dexter engine and a prototype BMC Mini Tractor.

Michael Thorne, who has enjoyed a successful career as a building contractor and steel fabricator, acquired his first exhibit in 1985, a Ferguson TED20 which he bought for £100 and fully restored in 1999.