It is the end of a love affair with the car

Reliant Motor's Noel Palmer

As a result, its makers have decided to bring 65 years of motoring tradition to an end.

Reliant Motors spokesman Noel Palmer said: "It is very apt that the last Reliant Robin rolls off the production line on Valentine's Day - it is the end of a love affair with the car.

"It is a sad day for us that that part of our company is now history.

"But Reliant will continue as an importer of French and Italian micro cars and in the spare parts business as well.

Jokes

Drivers only need a motorcycle licence to drive the Robin and 44,000 are still in use on British roads.

A new model sells for about �10,000 but is inexpensive to run, doing about 80 miles (130 km) to the gallon with its 850cc aluminium engine.

The Reliant Robin was immortalised in Only Fools and Horses

The vehicle began life in the depths of the Great Depression in the 1930s, but did not become popular until after World War II when handle bars were replaced by steering wheels.

The car was originally built from aluminium, but became the first mass-production vehicle with a fibreglass body in the 1950s.

Despite being the brunt of many jokes, the car has spawned a number of Reliant owners' clubs and rallies.

I am a slow driver and I won't be going mad in this

John Leigh, winner of last ever Robin

The last Robin, a special-edition model with a gold-metallic finish, two-tone trim and a walnut dashboard, was won by three-wheel enthusiast John Leigh in a competition in a national newspaper.

Mr Leigh, 53, from Weaverham, Cheshire, said he owned a Reliant Robin 20 years ago and was now keen to reacquaint himself with the vehicle.

"Inside they are totally different now. I am a slow driver and I won't be going mad in this," he said.