A Hampshire peer has marked the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who by recalling his links to the famous time traveller.

Giving his annual speech at the Beaulieu Estate Dinner, Lord Montagu did a little time travelling himself, focusing on the era when Jon Pertwee played the iconic character in the 1970s.

The long-running sci-fi classic was first broadcast on November 23 1963, with William Hartnell in the title role.

Daily Echo: Lady Montagu, Hallam Mills, Alison Mills and Lord Montagu at the Beaulieu Estate dinnerLady Montagu, Hallam Mills, Alison Mills and Lord Montagu at the Beaulieu Estate dinner (Image: Rachael Goldstraw, Beaulieu)

Lord Montagu said: "This is a programme close to my heart, especially as I worked on the technical restoration of several Doctor Who serials.

"The story of motoring and Doctor Who have now collided at Beaulieu, with a display featuring two Daleks and two cars from the Jon Pertwee era - Bessie, a yellow faux-vintage car first seen in 1970, and the Whomobile, which Jon Pertwee commissioned himself in 1973.

"Jon came here to open our traction engine rally in that same year and it was one of the most exciting events of our childhood.

"Little did I imagine that 50 years later we would be exhibiting two of his cars in the museum.

Daily Echo: Bessie, an Edwardian roadster driven by Jon Pertwee, is on show at the National Motor Museum at BeaulieuBessie, an Edwardian roadster driven by Jon Pertwee, is on show at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu (Image: Supplied)

"Other cars which have been the subject of schoolboy fantasies have been in the museum for many years. One is our 1000hp Sunbeam, which was the first car to exceed 200mph.

"We have now set our sights on restoring it to working order, the aim being to run the car again in its centenary year.

"A complete strip-down of the vehicle revealed a screwdriver in the fuel tank, most likely dropped there in 1927, which makes it probably the world's fastest screwdriver."

During the Second World War, the Beaulieu Estate was the site of a secret training school run by the Special Operations Executive (SOE).

Daily Echo: The award-winning National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is home to hundreds of exhibitsThe award-winning National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is home to hundreds of exhibits (Image: Newsquest)

A new exhibition in the Secret Army museum commemorates two Beaulieu-trained agents. Francis Suttill headed the biggest SOE network in France and Yvonne Rudellat was one of his couriers.

Lord Montagu said: "The exhibition was researched and curated by my wife who, like the female agents, is a member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry.

"It recounts what happened to these individuals when they went into Occupied France to engage in clandestine warfare."

Diners also heard that Doug Hill, the motor museum's manager and chief engineer, has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award after clocking up 50 years' service.

This year's guest speaker was Hallam Mills, director of Bisterne Farms and the Environmental Farmers Group.