Chris Evans has bought Donington's famous Dunlop bridge during a racing memorabilia auction, for about 300.Evans, joked he was going to put up the bridge in his garden over the top of his neighbour's house.

"There will be planning issues of course, [with a] temporary structure,  if we whittle it away at either end, affectionately and sympathetically, because it is a national landmark, I think I can get it down to four metres."

 The items were sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Revival race meeting in Sussex

Christopher Tate, managing director at Donington said the bridge was taken down in 2009 during the previous owner's bid to host the British Grand Prix. "It has just been lying there in 20 pieces in a yard, which needs tidying up - so somebody had the idea of auctioning it off.

"Every now and then you've got to make some changes and we've got to tidy up the yard."

The lot bought by Mr Evans was auctioned by Bonhams and comprises 16 panel pieces which made the arch that decorated the footbridge.

Other sale items included a Pirelli clock and a model of the World Land Speed Record car, Project Blue Star, which sits on top of the Old Hairpin bridge.

The items fetched over 1,500 during the auction. All of the proceeds will go to the Hope Against Cancer charity.