Drivers were scrambling to get their hands on the keys to a £170,000 Bentley formerly owned by footballer David Beckham today after it went on sale at a Black Country dealership.

Motor Village in Halesowen Road, Netherton, has been inundated with interest for the car which is complete with £70,000 of personal touches.

But new owners will have to be prepared for bumper fuel bills – as the Bentley cruises on just 16 to 18 miles a gallon.

Beckham drove the Arnage T to Buckingham Palace to pick up his OBE from the Queen in 2003 but he decided to ditch the car after moving to America last year. The 2.5 tonne car has just 25,000 miles on the clock and the 2002 model is on the market at £99,999.

Owner Chris Foxall, aged 35, said the phones had been red hot with people keen to get a taste of celebrity culture.

“It’s like fever pitch here,” he said. “I’m hoping we might get a sale in the next 48 hours. Obviously it’s a lot of money and people don’t make a snap decision on parting with that sort of cash.”