DRIVERS have been given their first glimpse of an award-winning car which will eventually be built in the North.

Motorists flocked to the Nissan dealership on Newcastle’s Portland Road to get a chance to drive the 100% electric Leaf car.

The car, which is due to be built at the Sunderland plant from 2013, went on display to the public for the first time yesterday.

And those who have already expressed an interest in buying one of the zero emission cars were invited along to the showroom to get behind the wheel of the vehicle.

Among them was retired surgeon Dr Peter Dickinson.

The 88-year-old from Corbridge, Northumberland, was the first member of the public to get a chance to drive the new car.

He said: “I was very impressed with it. It gave a very smooth ride and the performance was good.

“Throughout my life I have always tried to drive cars which are fun and this car is certainly fun.” The Leaf has been hailed as the first mass-produced electric car capable of offering a viable alternative to petrol and diesel models.

The car, which can seat five passengers, has a top speed of 90mph and has a range of 100 miles between charges.

While some potential buyers are concerned about being left stranded on the roadside with a flat battery electric car expert Terry Fleming of Benfield motors claims “range anxiety” shouldn’t be a problem.