The eagerly awaited Oxford-built Mini hits the roads of Britain on Saturday.

BMW sold off Rover but retained the Mini which is built at Cowley. It is priced from £10,300, with the more powerful Cooper version priced at £11,600.

When the original Mini first rolled of the production line in 1959 it achieved new standards in design and quickly became a British icon.

It cost £469 including tax and became the star of the Monte Carlo rallies in the 1960s later becoming a firm favourite with the public after being featured in The Italian Job starring Sir Michael Caine.

Famous faces such as Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr and Twiggy loved the car.

At the height of its popularity, the Mini was produced in several countries including Belgium, Italy, Spain and Australia.

In October 2000 the last, and 5,387,862nd, Rover Mini was driven off the Longbridge production line by singer Lulu in October 2000.

The new 115mph Mini is a far cry from the original with electric windows and mirrors and central locking, as well as air bags and power steering.

It is going on sale in Britain two months before being available elsewhere. About 20,000 Minis a year will be sold in the UK.