Oakham Ford dealer Tim Norton marked a milestone birthday with a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' in a classic high performance racing car.

The thrill ride was a 70th birthday present from Ford of Britain managing director Andy Barratt.

Mr Norton, director of family-run Tim Norton Motor Services, was taken for several high-speed spins in the Ford GT40 at an empty runway.

Only a handful of people are authorised to drive the vehicle due to its heritage and value.

Mr Norton told Oakham Nub News: "This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"As I have known Andy Barratt for over 25 years, staff members contacted him because of my significant birthday.

"He has always appreciated the fine job we have done representing Ford for nearly 40 years both with the Fiesta Challenge - Colin Turkington and Gordon Sheddon were winning drivers with the cars our team built and maintained - and in retail.

"He decided to pull out all the stops and arrived accompanied by an original Ford GT40 and a Bullitt Mustang.

"Thanks are due to all the members of the Ford Heritage Team and to our award-winning staff."

Mr Barratt said the birthday treat was an opportunity to reward one of the company's 'most trusted dealers'.

In a LinkedIn post he said: "At Ford we truly value our dealer partners, they represent us directly with our customers and they are guardians of our reputation.

"Tim started his career as a Ford apprentice, but for many years has been one of our most trusted dealers.

"He has just had a milestone birthday, so as he does with his customers day in, day out – it was our chance to thank Tim, with a big item on his bucket list: an empty airfield and a racing GT40."