THE recovery of a bronze bust of motor racing legend Graham Hill which was stolen in 1999 has provided a bonus attraction to a Hampshire museum.

The sculpture has been returned to the British Racing Drivers' Club after it went missing from its clubhouse.

Det Chief Insp Tricia Kirk, of Northamptonshire Police presented the recently recovered sculpture to Damon Hill, the club's president and son of Graham Hill who was World Champion in 1962 and 1968.

The life-size bust valued at £10,000 was formally identified by the original sculptor, Amy Goodman, following its recovery.

The artist joined Damon Hill for an official presentation in the BRDC clubhouse, overlooking the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone.

Club members have agreed to lend the replacement bust, commissioned following the disappearance of the original, to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest.

The 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill said: "It is very special to have the bust back in the BRDC clubhouse. Graham Hill was a very special and inspirational person, so it is great that the police have been able to track the bust down and bring it back to its rightful place after all this time.

"They have done a fantastic job.

"Ironically, I didn't even know it had been stolen until we received a call from Amy Goodman, the artist who sculpted the bust, asking if we would like her to produce another one from the original moulding.

"It was then quite spooky that, before we had time to consider Amy's offer, news came through that the original had been recovered in Bolton."

Club secretary Stuart Pringle added: "We were both surprised and delighted when we received the call confirming that the bust had been recovered.

"It is very fitting that Damon is president of the BRDC and is in a position to receive the sculpture of his father on behalf of the club."

Northamptonshire police recovered the bronze bust in December following a joint investigation with Greater Manchester police.

Det Chief Insp Kirk said: "We are happy to now be able to put it back where it belongs."

A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and handling stolen goods and is currently on police bail.