ONE OF BRITAIN'S best-loved sports cars, created by a man whose family lived in Bath and who often visited the area, is to be honoured in the city this weekend.

The Austin-Healy Drivers' Club golden anniversary meeting is being organised by Widcombe resident Peter Healy, who is the grandson of Donald Healy the man behind the original 1952 Austin-Healy marque motor car.

The meet, in Limpley Stoke, will see more than 150 people arrive from all over the world in celebration of the classic vehicle.

At the event, which runs on Saturday and Sunday, more than 50 editions of the famed motor will roar to Lacock and the American Museum.

The run will be followed by a gala dinner where members will be able to discuss their passion for the car with other enthusiasts from all over the world.

It is the first time that the annual international meeting of the drivers' club has been held in Bath, in honour of Donald Healy.

Mr Healy, who died in 1988, was a frequent visitor to Bath, often coming to the city to see his relatives. He also used lakes outside Cirencester to test speedboats made by Healey Marine, the waterborne wing of the Austin-Healy company.

His grandson, who has lived in Widcombe for 30 years, said that the Healy legacy is still fondly remembered by fans of the car.

He said: "It's nice to welcome the enthusiasts to the city where the family does have a long-standing connection. It is a great heritage for the city to have.

"It is a classic British sports car and one of those cars that seems to have an enduring appeal. The line was pulled nearly 15 years ago but it still looks timeless.

"We have a good following in the club this event was sold out as soon as it was announced. It shows the level of enthusiasm, not just for the car but for people who just want to come to Bath."

Mr Healy, who works at the Rolls-Royce aero-engine plant in Bristol, said that the Austin-Healy is still popular as it offers qualities in which modern cars fall short.

He said: "It isn't only the style of the car, but also the noise it makes. It has a very particular noise and it is really evocative of an era of open-top motoring that isn't there today.

"We look forward to our celebration of a timeless, British classic car."