IT has already trundled its way through four countries, notching up thousands of miles on the odometer, but there is still a long way to go for one plucky Morris Minor making its way around the country’s roads.

On Monday morning the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet welcomed the 1963 Morris Minor 4 as it continued on its journey from one end of the country to the other.

It is all part of the birthday celebrations of the Morris Minor Owners Club, which this year is marking 40 years of bringing fans of the memorable British motor together.

The standard specification Minor set off from John O’Groats in the far north-eastern reaches of Scotland at the beginning of the month and has taken in a winding route down through the highlands and across the Irish Sea to Belfast before taking in the Isle of Man. Since then it has meandered across Northern England and into Wales before arriving at Nuffield Place on Sunday - the home of the founder of Morris Motors.

It was driven to Swindon by Rosie and Sandy Hamilton, who handed over the keys to the North Wiltshire branch of the club. Ash Holmes and Steve Chater will now take the Minor on to its next top in Gloucester before it heads back into Wales, back across the Severn Bridge and down through Somerset and Devon into Cornwall.

Once safely parked up outside the former GWR works on Monday, members of the North Wiltshire branch called on shoppers to dig deep in aid of Marie Curie – the venture’s chosen charity of choice.

Steve said the event had been well-supported by people passing by who were keen to hear about the intrepid Minor’s adventures so far.

“The people who have stopped have been extremely generous in their support,” said Ash Holmes. “The car has done extremely well, it had a thorough service before it set off, and the dynamo has been changed because it was making a bit of a noise, so as a precaution a new one was put in. We are anticipating now that it will continue on well to the finish point.”

By the time it returns home to Lincoln following its epic adventure it will have notched up more than 4,000 miles.

You can follow the car’s progress at the Morris Minor Owners Club 40th Anniversary Charity Marathon 2016 Facebook page or make a donation to their fundraising efforts by visiting https://bitly.com/