May 12, 2011 1.47 pm This story is over 153 months old

Jeremy Clarkson and James May of Top Gear stop in Lincoln to recharge electric cars

TV show: The stars and crew of BBC’s Top Gear have stopped by Lincoln as part of filming a new series of the show.

Popular car BBC programme Top Gear has paid a day visit to Lincoln, as the team film the new series.

Two of the three presenters, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, stopped in Lincoln while filming an episode for series 17.

In the episode, the pair try to cross the county in the new Nissan Leaf and Peugeot iOn, two fully electric cars.

While in Lincoln, the team stopped by Lincolnshire County Council to find out where the nearest charging station would be for an electric car — unfortunately there are none in the county yet.

After eyewitnesses spotted them having lunch on the Brayford, as May, who was driving the Peugeot iOn and Clarkson drove around the city centre.

However, they broke down outside the Lincolnshire Echo building, where a crowd began to gather while they got tow ropes.

The team were trying to recharge at the marina by the University of Lincoln campus, but had to recharge the cars through university windows, leading into student services and the University Shop.

They then left in non-electric cars and went for drinks and pizza in Prezzo’s.

At about 7.15pm the Top Gear crew filmed Clarkson and May leaving Lincoln in their fully recharged electric cars.

Graduating student Carli Ann Smith said: “I was walking down the street and passed by a number of blacked out vehicles, then there was a black range rover with a camera hanging out the back.

“I put two and two together and realised that the car behind must have been one of the presenters and sure enough it was Jeremy followed by James May!

“I thought that was exciting enough and then I was walking over the level crossing and I saw Jeremy’s car parked outside the Lincolnshire Echo.

“It was fantastic to see them and what a great high for me to leave University on!”

The 17th series of Top Gear is set to start in June.