NOT many people get the honour of driving through the gates of Buckingham Palace.

But the once in the lifetime experience was enjoyed by a Lostock’s Gary Welsby as he joined a convoy of British cars visiting the palace as part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations..

The 49-year-old’s 1997 Caterham Super Seven was one of 90 British vehicles taking part in a Concours d’Elegance on the palace forecourt — each one built in a different year of the Queen’s life.

Mr Welsby from Lostock, was joined by his wife Diane on the trip to London and the couple lined up with their vehicle as it was inspected by the Queen’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent.

Mr Welsby said: “It was raining in the morning but when we got there the weather cleared up and as we drove through the gates which was pretty amazing really. There were hundreds of people there watching.

“Prince Michael of Kent was inspecting the cars on behalf of the Queen and he was asking about the car and what it was like to drive. He was a really, nice fella.

“It was a great experience. When we drove back we all drove up the Mall with everyone watching us.

“I loved every minute of it.”

Mr Welsby, who runs T&W Motors in Farnworth, original bought the Caterham, worth around £15,000, back in 2002 but sold it on.

However he soon regretted the decision and tracked the car down to buy it back last year.

The event was organised by Stewart Miller & Peter James Insurance and H&H Classics — Auctioneers for the Classic Collector.

Car owners from across the UK, and three from Europe, congregated at Wellington Barracks for the drive to the palace.

Each of the 90 vehicles represented a year of the Queen’s life, from a 1926 ‘Bullnose’ Morris Oxford Tourer, to an 2016 Ford Focus RS.

The vehicles had a combined value of just over £19 million, and included London taxis, sports and police cars in the line-up.