A NEW £120,000 extension to the MG Car Club is set to attract tourists from across the globe.

The club’s newly built John Thornley Suite was officially opened on Friday and among the guests were former rally driver Paddy Hopkirk and Abingdon Mayor Duncan Brown.

The new facility at Kimber House, in Cemetery Road, Abingdon, was funded by the club and it is hoped will enhance the MG presence in Abingdon. The room was opened by Peter Thornley, who travelled from the USA.

His father, John, was a founder member of the MG Car Club and a long-time general manager of the MG Car Company.

Chris Seaward, from the MG Car Club, said: “Abingdon is seen by people throughout the world as the Mecca for MG, but when they come here they are often disappointed that there is not more see. This room is the first step towards appeasing that.

“For the club, it will completely transform how it works, and it will promote tourism in Abingdon. Now we have the space to entertain visitors and show them what we have got.

“It will give the club more flexibility – before most of our space was office space, now we can display a car.”