BIG CATS from the region's motoring history will feature in an exhibition to support a bid for a new village hall in Eathorpe.

The pictures will be of Jaguar cars at Wappenbury Hall, the home of the late Sir William Lyons who founded the car company.

The show will be in the village hall in neighbouring Eathorpe where organisers hope to build on the success of a similar show last year.

Sir William retired from active involvement with the company in 1972, on its 50th anniversary, and became president of Jaguar. He died at Wappenbury in 1985.

Exhibition organiser Sian Wood said: "Over 1,500 people came last time. People who lived in the villages years ago came back to talk to each other and to meet current residents

"Other visitors were people who simply happened to be passing through, but everyone spent a lot more time looking at the photos and documents than they had expected."

Sue Burt, who organised last year's event, said: "The success last time has encouraged people to scour their cupboards for extra pictures and Jaguar has lent wonderful photos of Sir William Lyons and his cars at Wappenbury Hall.

"But we'll also have natural wildlife on view. The Warnact nature reserve in Eathorpe is home to all sorts of birds animals and plants, and the show will let people learn about it without getting their feet wet."

The event is part of a drive to replace the wooden village hall.

David French, who is leading the project for a new hall, said: "Our experience shows that many people want to learn more about their history and the countryside. The new hall will be purpose-built for this."

The exhibition will be open on Saturday and Sunday and the following weekend, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.