Recovered bust unveiled at club

The bronze bust of Graham Hill was stolen from Silverstone in 1999

A bronze bust of racing legend Graham Hill has been unveiled at the British Racing Drivers' Club at Silverstone - almost nine years after it was stolen.

The £10,000 sculpture was presented to his son Damon Hill, the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club.

It was recovered from a house on Beverley Road, Little Lever, in Bolton, just before Christmas.

Graham Hill, who was twice F1 world champion, was killed in an air crash in Hertfordshire in November 1975.

The discovery was made after a search warrant was executed following a joint operation by Greater Manchester Police and Northamptonshire Police.

'Inspirational person'

Mr Hill, 47, who won the world championship in 1996, said: "It is very special to have the bust back in the BRDC clubhouse.

"As a racing driver and champion, he [Graham Hill] was a very special and inspirational person, so it is great that the police have been able to track the bust down and bring it back to its rightful place after all this time."

The replacement Graham Hill bust, commissioned following the disappearance of the original, is to be loaned to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire.

Det Ch Insp Tricia Kirk, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "We are happy to now be able to put it back where it belongs at the heart of the county and back with the British Racing Drivers' Club."

A 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and handling stolen goods and is currently on bail.