Buggy follows Rolls-Royce (From Witney Gazette)

Buggy follows Rolls-Royce

12:18pm Friday 15th February 2008 in Witney By David Horne

JEREMY Clarkson once drove a Rolls-Royce into his home town swimming pool for a stunt - now someone has touched bottom gear and driven a golf buggy into it.

Organisers of The Lido, at Chipping Norton, are not best pleased because they fear the prank could become a copycat craze.

The buggy was taken from the town's golf club and driven more than a mile, either through the town or across country, and then rammed through a perimeter fence at the open-air pool, in Fox Close.

Claire Jarvis, The Lido, said: "It is incredibly dangerous. The pool is closed this time of the year, and the water in there is filthy and very cold. A kid could easily drown."

It was discovered on Saturday morning, February 9, and larrangements are being made to remove the buggy from the pool with a crane.

The machine was taken from the golf club, at Southcombe, late Friday night or early Saturday morning, February 8 and 9, but police, investigating theft and criminal damage, do not yet know what route it took to the pool.

Police are keeping an open mind on whether the incident was an imitation of Mr Clarkson's stunt, televised on his TV programme Top Gear, in June 2005.

Mr Clarkson, who lives in the town and is a chief fundraiser for The Lido, wanted to recreate the legend of Keith Moon, the late drummer of rock band The Who, driving a car into his swimming pool.

Mr Clarkson was unavailable for comment. His spokesman, Lucinda McFarlane, said: "I can't believe anyone has done that. The last thing they want is for it to become a copycat thing."

Ms Jarvis said: "Fortunately, there is no damage to the pool itself, but driving it here was no accidental destination.

"There is a comic quality about it, but what I am extremely concerned about is that this does not become a thing to do.

"Jeremy Clarkson's stunt three years ago was well managed and helped us to raise money with a location fee.

"This was a criminal damage and stupid."

The golf club has confirmed the buggy, one of a fleet hired from Mox, at Banbury, was stolen, but did not want to comment. It is understood the buggies can cost up to £1,000 each.

Toby Shergold, Thames Valley Police spokesman, appealed for information - the number to ring is 08458 505 505.

He added: "We have sent our forensics team to see if there's anything they can pick up on, and we have talked with The Lido about ways to improve their security.

"We want to hear from anyone who saw the buggy being driven from the golf club to The Lido, or anywhere in between."