Supercars in Dorset as part of Cannon Run event

They were on their way to Torquay as part of a road trip being filmed for television.

Earlier, on Saturday they delighted onlookers when they roared into Weymouth.

But they did not stay in the town long – after police were called.

The cars snaked along Weymouth seafront before parking up at the Pavilion car park.

The event was organised by Cannon Run, a London-based company which runs road trips for supercar enthusiasts.

The group had travelled from the capital as part of a road trip being filmed for a TV documentary looking into how people earn enough money to achieve a supercar lifestyle.

Bugattis, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Bentleys, Porsches and Ferraris were among the cars on show.

The event had been given the go ahead by the company’s local police force – but Dorset Police was called to speak to members after receiving reports of a large number of cars gathering at the site.

One mum from Weymouth, who saw the spectacle with her 13-year-old son, said it was a huge buzz for the town.

She said: “We were walking through the town when we heard the rumbling of the engines and so walked over to have a look.

“It was absolutely fantastic to see.

“There was a man on a microphone asking members of the public to ensure they were socially distanced. They were all so lovely, and they let my son sit in some of the cars and rev the engine. He was in supercar heaven.

“Everyone was really buzzing. I think it’s just what everyone needed – a bit of a lift after the past few months.”

Tom Clarke, manager of Cannon Run, said: “We spent hours with the police before the event making sure everything was above board.

“We planned the event when we were in full lockdown and the police were satisfied with the measures we had in place.

“Every staff member and entrant was Covid tested beforehand and we had Track and Trace on the day supported by Reem Biotechnology, as well as PPE and sanitisers.

“It was a huge success."

Mr Clarke, who said Cannon Run was soon to make a £210,000 donation to Mask Our Heroes – an initiative providing PPE to frontline workers – added: “Everyone had a great time. There were plenty of children who came along and enjoyed all the cars – all socially distanced.

“We come to Weymouth every year. We love Weymouth - the beach is beautiful, the people are amazing and we always love coming back here.”

The cars arrived in Weymouth around 12.30pm and left around 2pm.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We received a report at around 12.30pm of a large number of cars gathered in the area of Weymouth Pavilion.

“Officers attended and engaged with the organisers, who confirmed it was an organised event that had started out of the county and they had liaised with their local police force prior to departing.

“Following further engagement with the group, vehicles left the area around 2pm.”