David Duffy pays tribute to everyone's favourite Ford, which, from humble beginnings, became Britain's best selling car of all time . . .

Car enthusiasts were mourning the end of an era as the last Ford Escort rolled off the production line last week.

The final model produced - an Amparo Blue five-door Finesse was drive off the line by Mr Nick Scheele, the chairman of Ford of Europe.

The car was 5,202,412th Escort made at the Halewood plant on Merseyside.

Favoured by the housewife and boy racer alike, the Escort is Britain's best loved car with more than 4.6 million sold in the UK alone.

Ford UK chairman, Mr Ian McAllister, described the car as a legend in its own lifetime. Its styling and value-for-money have been embraced by British consumers for more than 30 years and we are tremendously proud of its achievements, he added. The Halewood plant, on the outskirts of Liverpool, has long been known as the Home of Escort. The factory will now produce Jaguar cars.

The Escort became Britain's top-selling car just a year after it was launched in 1968 boasting cutting edge style and value for money.

It revolutionised what was expected of a small family car - as it offered plenty of space for four people and their luggage and was tremendous value for money.

Escorts can be found on streets across the globe - with exports to Barbados, Brunei and New Zealand.

Over the years, Royalty, pop stars and sporting heroes have all been seen behind the wheel of Escort cars.

Performance models have dominated the world of motor racing with 31 victories in World Championship rallies.

The Escort was launched as a two-door, round bodied, Mark I in 1968, but the vans and four-door models soon followed.

In 1975 the sharper-edged Mark IIs were introduced with an entry-level Popular and the luxurious top-of-the-range Ghia Saloon.

In 1980 the Mark III transformed the Escort into a front-wheel-drive hatchback.

The saloon model was initially labelled an Orion. The 1990s saw the launch of the Mark IV with the introduction of more creature comforts and safety measures including an airbag.

Escort fans still have a chance to pick up one of the last Escorts.The Finesse, along with the Flight models, will be available in showrooms until the end of the year.