THIS week is a proud week for staff at Swindon Pressings as the 500,000th new Mini made in Britain has rolled off the production line.

Staff at the plant in Stratton play a large part in manufacturing the new Mini last summer Swindon Pressings was chosen as the long-term supplier of parts to the Cowley factory in Oxford where the car is built.

The new Mini started being built in Oxford in July 2001, and BMW which owns the factory and makes the car has reached the landmark 500,000 total far quicker than expected.

In June the Mini convertible was launched, joining the basic Mini, the Mini Cooper and the Mini S, and so far all 6,500 convertibles allocated to the UK this year have been sold.

Three-quarters of the cars made are destined for export, and yesterday Dan Cowdry, 35, from Los Angeles was presented with the 500,000th car.