THE 300,000 Land Rover Freelander 2 model has rolled off the production line as the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Liverpool continues its 50 anniversary celebrations.

The Halewood facility, which recently announced 35,000 applications for 1,000 new jobs, began production of the the Freelander 2 back in October 2006.

And the 300,000 model was a 2.2-litre diesel in Barolo Black, destined for a customer in Brazil - one of the brand's fastest growing markets, where Land Rover is the leading SUV marque.

Operations Director Richard Else said: "I'd like to congratulate the Halewood team for reaching this superb milestone and also sustaining the highest quality standards on Freelander 2, during the Range Rover Evoque launch period.

Freelander was Land Rover's biggest selling model last year retailing around 52,000 units globally."

In the UK, the 2012 Freelander 2 is available with a 2.2 litre diesel engine offering two power outputs - the 190bhp SD4 and the 150bhp TD4.

And an eD4 two-wheel drive derivative offers lower CO emissions at 158g/km and improved fuel consumption at 47.1mpg. Prices are from £22,250.

From last month until March 2013 Halewood will be celebrating five decades of automotive manufacturing.

First employees were already at work in a hanger near to the old Liverpool airport at Speke when the plant was constructed and the first car, a Ford Anglia, rolled off the production line in March 1963.