A DESCENDANT of the Ferrari family who lives in Knutsford has had a ride in one of the cars for the first time.

Classic Ferrari owner Gary Carter, whose co-owned jewellery business includes, pop celebs, actresses and WAGS among its clients, took time off work to give a special surprise 85th birthday treat to a Cheshire grandmother.

Italian-born Rosa Maria Vaccari, who lives in Northfields, Knutsford, is closely related to the great Ferrari dynasty but has never had the pleasure of being taken for a spin in one of the icons of the motoring world.

But in late June her daughter, jazz saxophonist Rosemary Quaye, took her for a special birthday lunch at Nunsmere Hall Hotel, at Oakmere, Northwich – and arranged for her to have a surprise spin around the grounds in Gary’s classic red Ferrari 355. Rosa’s mother was Elivira Ferrari and her grandfather, Eduardo Ferrari, was the cousin of Enzo Ferrari. “It is 52 years since my mum was last in her native Italy and over the years, she has lost contact with that side of the family although she hasn’t forgotten them or the car,” said Rosemary.

Rosa went for a 15 minute spin around the hotel.

Afterwards she said: “I have waited 50 years for a ride in the ‘family’ car but it was worth the wait.

“It was a really special birthday surprise.”