The circuit has marked its anniversary through various activities throughout the year, including themed days and parades.

Richard Phillips, managing director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said: "We are extremely proud to be celebrating 60 years of Silverstone. The greatest drivers, riders, cars and bikes have all raced and won at Silverstone, and the circuit has featured some of the most memorable races in the history of motorsport.

"They are all part of Silverstone's rich heritage and, with the planned redevelopment of the venue, we are looking forward to welcoming the future stars of racing to Silverstone over the next 60 years."

Silverstone Circuit is a former airfield and after World War II, the Royal Automobile Club approached the Air Ministry to arrange a lease to turn it into a racing circuit.

At the time the centre of Silverstone Circuit was a farm producing cereal crops, so the RAC employed farmer James Wilson Brown to create the first Grand Prix circuit at the site. On October 2, 1948, Silverstone's first event took place, the RAC Grand Prix.

The winner was Luigi Villoresi, claiming the first prize of £500, and recording an average speed of 72 mph in his Maserati.