OLD MG cars proved a magnetic attraction for Chinese visitors to the car club and Abingdon Museum. The group of car dealers, journalists and MG fans had travelled across the world to learn about the history of the marque, which was bought by Nanjing Automobile Corporation.

Chris Seaward, of the MG Car Club, said: "We have a lot of history here. The main reason they bought the marque was because of the history.

“We put on a display of seven cars from 1920 to the present day, and it was the older cars that fascinated them."

The visitors also met Don Hayter, who designed the original MGB at the Abingdon factory, which in its heyday in the 1960s employed 1,000 people.

Although mementoes from the club are available on the Internet, the Chinese also bought scale models, caps, tax-disc holders and puzzles.