THE grounds of a top hotel looked more like a classic car meeting as Chris Evans brought his annual charity “Dirty Dozen” event to the New Forest.

The BBC Radio 2 DJ and new Top Gear presenter was master of ceremonies as the line-up of classic Ferraris, Aston Martins and Jaguars was presented at Chewton Glen.

And the drivers who paid £726,348 to drive with Evans and Children in Need mascot Pudsey were also treated to a banquet cooked up by Hampshire-based TV chef James Martin.

The drivers were delayed on Wednesday night by bad weather as they made their way to Chewton Glen from Broadcasting House via Goodwood.

The main events at the hotel in New Milton kicked off yesterday morning before the drivers headed to Berkshire, before ending up at Carfest.

On Wednesday night they dined on a three-course meal devised by Saturday Morning Kitchen presenter Martin, who previously worked at Chewton Glen, and current chef Luke Matthews.

Martin said he introduced Evans to Chewton Glen after Evans and new wife Natasha lost their passports before they were about to jet off on their honeymoon.

Martin ‎had been cooking an exhibition lunch at the venue and invited the newlyweds there after they were unable to leave the country.

Speaking about being back in the kitchens he used to work in, he said: “It’s kind of surreal; I was here about 20 years ago. We’ve both got a connection with cars, and my first job on TV was with Chris on Big Breakfast.”

It is the eighth year the charity fundraiser has taken place with drivers stopping off at the hotel in New Milton.

The money raised through the challenge was part of the £5.9 million raised for Children in Need through Evans’ Breakfast Show fundraising appeal last November.

Among the iconic cars taking part in the event were a “magnificent seven” Ferraris including a 250 SWB from 1963, a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, a 1964 Daimler SP250 Dart and a 1967 Jaguar XKSS.