Watch: Sir Ben Ainslie drives Discovery under the Lego Tower Bridge

Land Rover unveiled its new Discovery model in dramatic fashion last night as TV adventurer Bear Grylls abseiled from a helicopter down to a record-breaking Lego replica of Tower Bridge.

It might sound bizarre but that was precisely what happened in the grounds of Packington Hall in Solihull when the wraps came off the all new Discovery.

Hundreds of VIP guests joined senior Land Rover staff at the event, which revolved around a giant outdoor set - the centrepiece of which was the Tower Bridge replica - the largest structure ever constructed from Lego bricks.

Bear Grylls abseils from a helicopter at the Land Rover Discovery launch
Bear Grylls abseils from a helicopter at the Land Rover Discovery launch

In all 5,805,846 individual Lego bricks were used to build it, breaking the previous Guinness World Record by 470,646 pieces.

Laid end to end, the bricks would stretch for almost 200 miles - from Tower Bridge all the way to Paris.

The star-studded night also saw Land Rover management presented with a Guinness World Record certificate to mark the achievement.

The Discovery reveal show got under way when a helicopter approached the outdoor set and Land Rover ambassador Bear Grylls abseiled onto the top of 'Tower Bridge' before using a rope to descend to ground level.

Moments later a new Discovery made its way through the water under the bridge.

It was driven by Olympic sailing champion Sir Ben Ainslie and his team and the vehicle was towing another Lego replica - this time a copy of the Land Rover BAR Team catamaran that's set to compete in next year's America's Cup.

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Watch: New Land Rover Discovery unveiled at Packington Hall

To showcase the new Discovery's capabilities, two cars traversed the specially constructed Tower Bridge structure, which combined Lego bricks with hydraulics and the reveal show ended with the bridge lifting - just like the real one - with both Discoverys parked at acute angles.

Mr Grylls said Land Rovers were always at the heart of his role as a television adventurer.

He said: "People might be used to seeing me abseil into a jungle or inhospitable terrain but what they don't often see is the fleet of Land Rover vehicles carrying crew, cameras, kit and much more besides - that might have travelled hundreds of miles to be there."

The model of Tower Bridge was flanked by two Lego 'Discovery Zones' celebrating 27 years of Land Rover Discovery heritage.

The Land Rover Discovery unveiling with the record-breaking Lego replica of Tower Bridge
The Land Rover Discovery unveiling with the record-breaking Lego replica of Tower Bridge

Mr Grylls added: "I have developed a powerful bond with Land Rover vehicles over the years and to me they embody that spirit of adventure coupled with a rugged reliability that also serves the needs of a young family."

Speaking just before the dramatic Discovery unveiling, Jaguar Land Rover's chief executive Dr Ralf Speth told guests: "Demand for our vehicles has never been stronger.

"We make iconic, timeless and classic vehicles. We invented the first vehicle that could go anywhere and continue that authenticity.

"The new Discovery is the world's most capable and versatile SUV - it's a revolutionary vehicle but very much a Land Rover."

Sir Ben Ailslie drives the new Land Rover Discovery at its unveiling
Sir Ben Ailslie drives the new Land Rover Discovery at its unveiling