English Heritage awarded the former Cooper garage in Surbiton a blue plaque for its historical and architectural significance.

The small Surbiton garage situated on Hollyfield Road at the junction with Ewell Road is one of the very few purpose-built motor car workshops or showrooms to survive from the late fifties.

The plaque, unveiled on August 16, was installed to mark the enormous contribution made by Cooper Cars to British motorsport history and its role in the development of the modern Formula 1 racing car.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by members of the Cooper family, dignitaries and fans, with Cooper vintage cars on display, including the 1959 F1 world championship winning car.

Alvaro Crego, 56, owner of the Porsche garage, said the unveiling ceremony was a very emotional day.

Mr Crego, who lives in Ewell, said: “It was very moving. There were well over a hundred people and it was quite a good afternoon."

The building was designed by Richard Maddock, the chief designer of the Cooper Car Company during the fifties and sixties, whose rear-mounted engine revolutionised motorsport.

It was leased to the Metropolitan Police to use as a police car depot and forensics site, after Cooper Cars relocated to Byfleet in Surrey in 1965.

Mr Crego said he discovered the site’s incredible history when he bought the building from the Cooper family in 2015 for his garage.

He said: “It was a big surprise. On the day they asked if we could have a blue plaque, it became a listed building and we were over the moon.

“Mike Cooper has been round to give me quite a few Cooper photographs so we could put them up.”