Jaguar safety recall

Jaguar has recalled 68,000 top-of-the-range cars after discovering their automatic gearboxes can slip into reverse while driving at high speed.

Safety experts said that in extreme cases the fault could cause the cars - favoured by Premiership stars - to go out of control. In most instances, the computer software fault would simply wreck the gearbox and engine. The alert was triggered after three customers reported their cars slipping into reverse accidentally.

The alert affects the range-topping XJ model, which costs from £65,000. Other Jaguars recalled include the fashionable S-Type, which costs up to £47,000, and the £59,000 XK coupe.

Footballers Alan Shearer and Michael Owen were believed to be among those contacted, as was TV sports presenter Gabby Logan.

Today, the Midlands firm insisted there had been no crashes and the recall was a "proactive precautionary measure". But with 14,000 cars in the UK and more than 33,000 in the US affected, the callback is likely to cost the firm millions of pounds.