THE launch of the new BMW Mini at the Mini plant in Cowley in 2006 was marked by a visit from the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.

The future Prime Minister was in town on September 13 that year to join the celebrations.

He was introduced by Dr Reithofer, the head of BMW, and the German Ambassador Wolfgang Ischlinger.

Mr Brown was presented with a Mini pedal car made by apprentices for his son.

Mr Brown was retracing his steps after officially launching the first generation of the new model Mini at the plant five years before.