For over 40 years, Witney-based British Motor Heritage (BMH) has been at the heart of the restoration and conservation of many of Britain's best loved classic cars, having built over 6,000 complete replacement bodyshells for the MGB, MG RV8, MG Midget, Austin-Healey Sprite, Triumph TR6, original MINI and MINI Clubman, as well as literally tens of thousands of individual panels.

Unlike those of alternative suppliers, these items are manufactured to original standards on the original tooling; though happily without the disruptions that characterised BMH production in the 1970s - until recently.

Managing Director John Yea takes up the story, "We were preparing to run a batch of new bodyshells for the MINI Clubman when the staff discovered a Great Tit had nested in the specialist tooling reserved for this model. Important as it is to maintain our production schedules, we obviously had no wish to interfere with the course of nature, so we sidelined that batch of shells until the last fledgling had safely departed its makeshift home - it's what we like to think of as our 'Mini' contribution to wildlife conservation!"

He added, "Actually, these Great Tits are not the only birds to have taken a liking to our factory this year, as a Robin decided to start its family in the top of one of our empty gas bottles - I'm happy to report that its babies also enjoyed a safe start in life!"