IT'S red and it has spots but who cares, granny Barbara's ladybird mini will put a smile on the faces of the most enraged motorist.She may be 66 years old but Barbara Davis of High Street, Coddenham, knows how to liven up even the most depressing of days, she just jumps in to her car and drives around.

By Lynn Abbott

IT'S red and it has spots but who cares, granny Barbara's ladybird mini will put a smile on the faces of the most enraged motorist.

She may be 66 years old but Barbara Davis of High Street, Coddenham, knows how to liven up even the most depressing of days, she just jumps in to her car and drives around.

When her husband, Roy offered to buy her a new mini she jumped at the chance to own one of these all-time favourite cars again.

"But I told him I only wanted one if it could be red and with black spots. I wanted it to look like a ladybird," said Mrs Davis.

"Then I got cold feet and thought it was a bit daft but Roy insisted that he would only buy me the car if I actually did have it looking like a ladybird."

Years ago, when the couple's two children were young she had minis and said they were ideal for carrying them to and fro.

"In those days the minis I had were ordinary coloured but I did know of a man who had one which had spots on it. I suppose deep down I had always envied his individuality," she added.

"The mini is a car full of character and it's brought out the silliness in me.

"Lots of people wave when I'm driving about town and my grandchildren think I'm the trendiest granny in Britain."

Alex, seven and Luke, three, are not the only youngsters who can boast a senior member of their family who likes their car to stand out in a crowd.

Pete Sommerfeld, a toy designer from Braintree asked for his black mini to have a cream roof so that it would resemble his favourite tipple, Guinness. I've always loved these cars and, when I ordered a new mini, I was surprised by how many different options were available.

"It's great that you can mix and match colours. My favourite drink is Guinness and this inspired me to create my own Guinness mini – it looks good enough to drink."

Trevor Houghton-Berry, general manager for mini said the reasoning behind the options packages available is that the mini is all about fun and personality. "We think it's vital to let drivers tailor their cars to suit their own character and tastes."

Dora Kan, from Thetford in Norfolk, added a set of green wing mirrors to her red mini.

"I call it my Apple mini. The green roof and wing mirrors are only small additions to the car but they really make it stand out. I get a lot of beeps from other drivers admiring my fruity car."