A man has bought his “dream machine” – a 2002 Bentley once owned by television personality Simon Cowell.

Jim Butterfield, 70, of Sutton-in-Craven, was surprised to find out the Bentley bought from a dealer had been owned by the star of Pop Idol, American Idol, The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

He said: “I didn’t know when I bought it. I was told later.”

Mr Butterfield said the 6.8-litre Bentley was in an excellent condition.

It has more than 100,000 miles on the clock. “I’ve been in the motor trade all my life and I love my vehicles,” said Mr Butterfield, whose previous cars included a Rolls-Royce.

He uses his luxury cars at the weddings of friends and business associates.

“People offer to pay us but we ask them to make a donation to Manorlands or another local charity,” he said.

“We like to put things back into the community and while we can’t always put the time in we like to help out where we can.”