The 3 Shires Rally returns to Ledbury this weekend - with its popular ceremonial start taking place in the town centre.

The event will see the High Street filled with rally cars on Saturday evening (September 16) as spectators get the chance to get up close to the vehicles and their drivers.

This starts at 4pm and will see the High Street closed.

The race itself gets underway the following day, starting in Much Marcle and spanning 60 miles across the lanes of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

We asked Ledbury Town Council and Herefordshire Council for a full list of road closures but at the time of writing, hadn’t received one.

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Cheltenham Motor Club, which organises the rally, said it had notified all householders and landowners along the route, and provided them with both residents’ passes and handbooks.

The rally was deemed a huge success in 2021 but the 2022 event was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Clerk of the course Alyn Edwards said last year: “As a mark of respect, we feel it would be inappropriate to continue with the running of the event whilst the country is in a state of mourning.”

Organisers had originally wanted only to postpone the event, but were unable to find an alternative date.

The rally’s return in 2023 was announced earlier this year and the news was warmly welcomed by Ledbury business owners.

Tracey Powell of the Brewery Inn said she was looking forward to welcoming punters over the weekend.

Thinking back to the last rally in 2021, she said: “The town was full of onlookers and quite a few of those drinking in the local pubs, there was a real buzz in the town and lots of positive vibes from people.”

Annette and Steve Crowe, who own Past and Present Jewellers, said: “It is great for the town, the more events taking place encourage people to visit Ledbury maybe for the first time.

“They then fall in love with our wonderful town and come for a longer stay.”