Portsmouth children dazzle crowds at Chitty Chitty Bang Bang preview at Beaulieu Motor Museum

To celebrate the golden half-century of one of the world's favourite films, Beaulieu is to host its 50 years exhibition at the motor museum from Saturday.

But a sneak preview at the museum last night saw high profile attendees Lord Montagu and celebrity guest Adrian Hall (who played Jeremy in the film) recreate a scene  '“ while a cast of 30 children from a Portsmouth stage production sang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

Guests included Lionel Whitehead, the head mechanic for Alan Mann Racing which produced all of the Chitty film cars, Alan Mann's son Henry and Rupert Howes, the nephew of Truly Scrumptious actress Sally Ann Howes.

Lord Montagu said: '˜I remember seeing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a seven-year-old, the thought of a flying car was so exciting and the music has stayed in my head for 50 years. So I am delighted to open Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years at Beaulieu.'

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, which will run until November, includes an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious, Coggins Garage and the inventive machines of Rowland Emett.

It will also see a replica of Grandpa Potts' hut, the Spy Phone, costumes and original film artwork on display for the first time.

The exhibition will tell the story of Chitty from its beginnings as Ian Fleming's book '“ and the real-life racing car which inspired it '“ to Cubby Broccoli's unique interpretation on film.

The Ccads Theatre stage production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth from November 1 - 3.