In spite of the Motor Show organiser's protestations at Trade secretary Patricia Hewitt's blistering attack on a Motor Show ad as “sexist” and “old-fashioned” an AM vox-pop of showgoers suggest the SMMT should be sending Ms Hewitt a note of thanks.

A significant number of showgoers approached on the day after the controversy hit the headlines said their visit had been prompted by the publicity.

The ad featured a photo of a woman in a bra captioned: “The other way to your man's heart is down the M6 and off at Junction 4.”

The SMMT dismissed the Minister's remarks - pointing out that the ad was produced by women and aimed at women.