When Roger Chinery goes to see the latest comedy movie to hit big screens, he will be watching closely for a glimpse of some familiar friends.

Two of the businessman’s beloved classic Ford cars – a Mark 3 Cortina and a 73 Consul – feature in new The Harry Hill movie, which has just opened in cinemas across the UK.

Mr Chinery, from Great Yeldham on the Suffolk/Essex border, has been collecting and selling classic cars through his Affordable Classics showroom since 1996 - and he doesn’t even own a modern vehicle. After the recession hit sales a year or so back, he decided to offer the vehicles for hire as well.

The initiative has already proved successful with the cars being in demand for weddings, fashion photo shoots, magazine adverts, music videos, themed parties and TV programmes, including the cult series Life on Mars and 1960s drama The Royal.

The Harry Hill movie, which sees the TV comic and his petrol drinking Nan set off on a road trip to Blackpool after they discover their hamster is seriously ill, is one of the first big screen productions to feature the cars.

Mr Chinery said he really enjoyed being able to spend a day on location watching the filming.

He told the EADT: “The first time I loaned two cars for a film, they managed to crash one into the other so I always insist on accompanying the vehicles to shoots now.

“I went along for a day and met Harry Hill who is the same in real life as he is on screen, and got a chance to chat with Julie Walters, who was lovely. I shall definitely be watching the film with interest.”

Mr Chinery has around 25 Fords in his showroom for people to choose from, ranging from the classic Cortina to the sporty Capri and Mustang. Alongside the cars, he has other 1970s memorabilia such as Chopper bikes and pinball machines.

He continued: “My first car was a Mark 3 Cortina and I still drive one today. I love the fact that they look a bit different but although they are old, the mechanics aren’t much different (to modern cars) and they cost so little to fix, which makes a refreshing change.

“They are like big Meccano kits really and they don’t use much more fuel than a modern car.”

Anyone interested in finding out more can visit www.affordableclassics.co.uk