HE has been dubbed the greatest all-round racing driver of all time.

Now the legendary Sir Stirling Moss is returning to one of Hampshire's biggest tourist attractions to open the latest phase of a major redevelopment scheme.

The 85-year-old celebrity has agreed to unveil two new galleries at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

Sir Stirling began his career in 1948 and went on to dominate the sport, winning 212 of the 529 races he entered, including 16 Formula One Grands Prix.

In 1962 his crashed his Lotus car during the Glover Trophy at Goodwood. The accident left him in a coma for a month and for six months the left side of his body was partially paralysed. He recovered but retired from professional racing.

Three years earlier he had attended the opening of the Montagu Motor Museum, forerunner of today's award-winning attraction.

Speaking at the annual Beaulieu Estate Dinner Lord Montagu's son and heir, the Hon Ralph Montagu, revealed that Sir Stirling would return on March 5 next year to open two new display areas called Grand Prix Greats and Road, Race and Rally.

Describing the sporting star's earlier visit to Beaulieu in 1959 he told guests: "It will be good to have him back."

Mr Montagu's review of the past 12 months included the day a 1920 Sunbeam car was fired up following a seven-year project to rebuild its 350hp engine.

Two months later a new display about British speed kings was opened by Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell. The ceremony was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Sir Malcolm's son Donald breaking the world land speed record in Bluebird, which is on show at the museum.

A commemorative dinner held at Beaulieu in July was attended by Donald's widow, Tonya Bern Campbell, who flew over from her home in California.

Other VIP visitors to the museum this year have included Formula One commentator Murray Walker, who lives near Fordingbridge.

Murray opened The Motorcycle Story, a display dedicated to his father. In the late 1950s motorcycle champion Graham Walker became the first curator of the bike collection at Beaulieu.