One of the greats of the silent film era, a world-famous conductor and Oxford's top orchestra came together for a ground-breaking performance at the Cowley car factory.

Charlie Chaplin's film, Modern Times, was screened at the BMW Mini factory yesterday, accompanied by the Oxford Philomusica, conducted by Carl Davis.

Modern Times, made in 1936, was Chaplin's last silent film and also the final time his iconic Little Tramp character was seen on screen.

It is set in a factory and shows the character struggling against the pressures of an increasingly mechanised world.

Bafta award-winning composer and conductor Mr Davis, who has provided the score for films such as The French Lieutenant's Woman, Scandal and Topsy Turvy, said: "This was a really exciting project - and certainly the first time that I have performed a film in a factory.

"It's always so interesting to present these films in unusual locations."

Proceeds from the sell-out charity concert, which attracted an audience of 350, will go to the Oxford Children's Hospital.

It was performed in a former production area at the plant, featuring Chaplin's own score.

BMW Oxford managing director Oliver Zipse said: "The concert venue is a historic part of the plant, and we felt that it would provide the perfect setting for a silent film showing.

"After doing some research, we landed on the idea of Modern Times, as it fits so well with the heritage of the plant."

The Cowley site was first used to make cars by William Morris in 1913, the year of Chaplin's first Hollywood comedies.

Researchers also discovered Chaplin had a connection with the city, having been given an honorary degree by Oxford University in 1962.

Mr Zipse added: "We liked the idea of the contrast between a 1930s view of manufacturing and the state-of-the-art facility we have here today."