It's a sort of milk float you're putting into the traffic stream Dr Murray MacKay, Birmingham University

The British Safety Council says the vehicle is too close to the ground and the driver has poor visibility in traffic.

He sits with his legs outstretched and the controls are beneath his thighs.

With a top speed of only 15 mph, safety experts say the C5 could be vulnerable to knocks from other cars.

The vehicle is open-topped and the driver is not obliged to wear a crash helmet or even have a driving licence.

Dr Murray MacKay head of the Accident Research Unit at Birmingham University said: "It's a sort of milk float you're putting into the traffic stream and that sort of dislocation is going to cause conflicts, particularly turning right."

Sir Clive claims his new vehicle will be a perfect runabout: "It's ideal for shopping, going to the office, going to school, any trip around town."

BBC News asked British motor racing legend, Stirling Moss, to take the C5 for a spin around town. His verdict: "I think it's safe if you drive it realising it isn't a car... ride it just like a bicycle and I think you should be alright."

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