RESEARCH by a senior lecturer in advertising at the University of Chester has been used by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make decisions on the budget.

Dr Chris Hart’s report - The British Historic Vehicle Movement: A £4 Billion Hobby - was cited in a policy paper by George Osborne to support the use of classic vehicles in the UK.

The Government recently announced the introduction of a rolling 40 year exemption of vehicle excise duty on classic vehicles.

Dr Hart said: “Historic vehicles give so much pleasure to so many people of all ages that it is heartening to see the Chancellor recognise this and also, importantly, how much economic activity is generated by the interest.

“This continuing exemption means more people will be able to enjoy the ownership and use of our engineering and design heritage.”