BASIL Fawlty memorably gave his a damn good thrashing in John Cleese's comedy classic Fawlty Towers.

But Gwent teacher Alan Smith treats his own beloved 1970 Morris 1300 with nothing but tender love and care.

And now he and his wife Therese are to start an appreciation society for Morris lovers in Gwent.

"There's a UK-wide organisation called the 1100 Club which caters for all the different varieties - Austin Morris 1100/1300, MG, Riley, Wolseley and Vanden Plas, and I want to set up a branch to serve the South Wales area," said Mr Smith.

He added: "For me, the enjoyment is in the sheer pleasure of driving it. It's something different - part of British motoring history. Wherever you go people stop to look and admire it."

Mr and Mrs Smith, of Llantarnam Road, Cwmbran, regularly take the Morris out for a spin at the weekend, and along with hundreds of Morris buffs they attended the annual 1100 Club national rally in Milton Keynes this year, as well as Rufford Park, Nottingham, in 2003. The event returns to Nottingham next year.

"I inherited the car from my uncle - he bought it in 1970," said Mr Smith.

He added: "I've done quite a bit of work on it over the years, and it's had a complete re-spray."

As well as running the annual rally and regular events around the country, the 1100 Club supports Morris owners with technical advice, spare parts and other services.

Mr Smith is setting a branch up to serve South Wales. Call 07941 789036 or 01633 871681 for more information.