THE throb of seven Ferrari engines could be heard across the New Forest yesterday when Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans came to Hampshire.

The cars that pulled onto the croquet lawn at the Chewton Glen hotel in New Milton included the 1964 Ferrari 250 Lusso, the 1971 Ferrari Dino, the 1957 Ferrari Testarossa Recreation along with the record-breaking James Coburn 1961 Ferrari 250 California Spyder, which is worth more than £5m.

The Chris Evans Drive and Dine Magnificent Seven saw seven lucky drivers and guests get the chance to take the vintage Ferraris for a spin.

Although all the cars used to be part of Chris’s own collection, he recently had to sell three to pay for his latest purchase, a £12m 1963 Ferrari 250 GT, which was not among yesterday’s line-up.

The event has raised more than £500,000 for Children in Need.

Chris said: “Last year I was nervous about strangers driving my cars but this year it’s not so bad because I don’t own all of them!

“It’s been a fantastic day. I didn’t think it could get any better than last year but it has.”

He was also presented with an award from New Forest Tourism, making him an honorary ambassador for the area.