Land Rover's 60th birthday marked

It is estimated 80% of all Land Rover Defenders are still in use

The 60th birthday of the Land Rover is being celebrated.

A two-day show celebrating the famous marque's anniversary is taking place at the Heritage Motor Centre, in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The manufacturer, based in Solihull, West Midlands, produced its first vehicle in April 1948.

Demand for the 4x4 vehicles has continued ever since and the company was recently bought from Ford by Indian car maker Tata.

Post-war rationing meant the original Series One had to be made from aluminium instead of steel and paint left over from a fighter plane factory.

5,000 expected

It is estimated that 80% of all Land Rovers ever produced are still in use, mainly on farms.

Five thousand people are expected at the birthday celebrations along with hundreds of Land Rovers from the past six decades.

Examples of all the Land Rover models ever made are on display to the public for the first time.

And on Sunday, the Classic Run - featuring more than 100 classic Land Rovers from the Association of Land Rover Clubs - will travel from the Solihull plant to the Heritage Motor Centre.