WHEN the MG name was bought out and headed to China there was a high degree of sadness among those who placed the marque at the top of the list of motoring the British way.

Even the badge-engineering madness of BMC and later Rover, still made the brand something special, but heading off in an easterly direction with the famous badge was just not cricket.

But strange things happen in the modern automotive world and MG is back in the UK, still under oriental ownership but, most importantly, assembled at that Mecca of British car manufacturing Longbridge, which most people thought would be completely swamped in a sea of shopping sheds by now.

The first offering the MG6 was good but not great, but MG has now really scored a century with its neat little MG3, a practical little warm hatch with a twist of cheekiness - just how a modern MG should be.

The MG3 aims to be a car for the time with no retro touches, except to the badge and a high degree of fun and economy.

It enters a tough arena and as such has to have a high degree of magnetism to ensure healthy sales, and this is there is plenty when you look at the car's attractive price. Even the top model in the four car line up costs less than £10,000.

And the ultra-low insurance rating of Group 4 - less than half that of many competitors - is just as surprising, and particularly good news for young drivers who usually find the cost of car insurance prohibitively high.

With 106ps on tap this is a lively car for under £10,000 and is very difficult to fault for the price. MG has come on in leaps and bounds over its interiors and build quality and the little MG3 stands proud as a bargain.

And the high degree of customisation associated with this car gives it a vital shot of desirability.

I have to say that the MG3 is well up to and in many ways exceeds the mark of the last MGs built by Rover and it has a bright future.

All models benefit from signature front LED daytime running lights and electronic hill hold as standard. Except for the entry model, all MG3s featuring a high quality DAB audio system.

The sporty exterior style, with full width black mesh grille, black front pillars and ‘wraparound' windscreen, conceals an interior that offers one of the largest and most spacious cabins in the supermini class.

With six airbags, electronic stability control, corner brake control and traction control, there is the full suite of the latest technology safety equipment standard on all MG3s.

There are thousands of customisation combinations available, and the chances of seeing two identical MG3s together in the same town are slim.

At the top of the range is the MG3 3STYLE with premium 16-inch "Diamond" alloy wheel and a sports body styling pack that includes a rear boot spoiler and side sill extensions.

Standard high-tech convenience features include cruise control, automatic lights and windscreen wipers and reverse parking sensors - and that's for £9,999.

All models are powered by a sporty 106ps petrol engine with a five-speed manual gearbox and this combination makes the car a zestful drive and capable of not far short of 60mpg.