It’s apt that Donald Trump visited the UK last week, as 35 years ago a super-expensive car fit for a president rolled into Farnham, writes Marcus Fairweather.

There was excitement among pupils in September 1990 when a 1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost purred up at the gates of Potter’s Gate Primary School.

The majestic car, the most expensive in the world at the time, was making a quick stop off at Farnham on its way from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a £50,000 fundraising drive for the NSPCC.

Eleven-year-old Robert Pope of Crondall Lane was the fortunate winner of a chance to ride in the car normally reserved for royalty and American presidents.

Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Ronald Reagan were some of its most famous passengers. Robert and his family were taken on a short ride before being taken back to the school.

Eight-year-old Kerrie Slingo said she would have liked to have had a ride, saying: “I’ve only seen ones like this on TV – It’s amazing.’

Eight-year-old Stephen Hatcher was quick to say that he had several models of similar cars, but added: “They’re not nearly as good though, it’s so beautiful.”

Three drivers had the honour or driving the £12million car, which was restricted to a speed of 35mph.

One of them, David Preston said that he felt a mixture of thrills and nerves. He said: “We’ve had no crashes so far, luckily. It’s a wonderful car to drive.”

Also present for a comment was Mayor of Farnham and chairman of the Hants/Surrey branch of the NSSPC, Frank Cordier for whom the cause is very dear to.

He said: “We’re very lucky to be on the route and it’s a marvellous effort to raise so much money.”