Watch our video report
from Bluewater

by Graham Tutthill

Former Dover schoolgirl Joss Stone had a VIP chauffeur when
she went to the Bluewater shopping centre on Tuesday -
newly-crowned Formula 1 racing champ Jenson Button.

Joss, who was born in Dover and spent the first eight years of
her life in the town, was one of the celebrities invited to meet
the new world champion and go for a spin in a Mercededs SL AMG with
Jenson at the wheel. Model Jodie Kidd was also there.

Bluewater's roads were transformed into a temporary race circuit
for the visit, which had been arranged before Jenson won the
championship in the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Kent Messenger journalist Jo Earle, who was at the visit, said:
"He looked absolutely ecstatic - so, so happy.

"Hundreds of people lined up along the streets and at Bluewater
to greet their championship hero."