Milestone Land Rover is simply AbFab for star

May 8 2007 By Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail

ABSOLUTELY Fabulous! Lucky workers got the chance of a lifetime to meet legendary TV star Joanna Lumley as the four millionth Land Rover left the factory.

She collected the vehicle on behalf of the Born Free Foundation, of which she is Founder Patron, during a historic ceremony at the Lode Lane plant in Solihull.

And 15 employees were given a break from the assembly line to meet and chat to the famous actress, a keen Land Rover customer herself.

Land Rover spokesman Mark Foster said: "The workers were nominated from all areas of the plant by their union representatives.

"Joanna enthused about the vehicle - she said it was silky smooth on the road and was capable of driving over bottle-tops and elephant footprints.

"She drove the vehicle off road and went around the Jungle track here. She is an excellent driver - she has a Defender which she uses up in Scotland where she lives."

The four millionth vehicle, a Discovery 3, has been donated to the Born Free Foundation, a charity dedicated to wildlife conservation and animal welfare.

Will Travers, Born Free chief executive, said: "This vehicle will enable us to carry out important frontline conservation and animal welfare missions at will. Without Land Rover's support we simply would not be able to reach some of the off-road remote destinations or tackle some of the rescues that are a vital part of our work."

Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover, said: "We are delighted to hand this car over to Born Free.

"The production of the four millionth Land Rover is a major milestone and it is only fitting that it goes to such a worthy cause.

"I'm proud of our support for the charity and the company's contribution to both the local and national economy over the past 59 years."