THE end of UK production of the iconic Land Rover Defender is drawing nigh.

A somewhat rough and ready vehicle that emanated from a drawing in the sand at Anglesey's Red Wharf bay by Rover bosses brothers Maurice and Spencer Wilks just after the Second World War, grew to become the backbone multi-purpose vehicle for the military, utilities, ambulance services, explorers and so many other professions and agencies.

Farmers swore by them and they were a must-have for the hunting and shooting set.

To mark the end of Defender production Land Rover drew another sand picture at the place where the vehicle was conceived, but this time the drawing implements were not sticks but a fleet of six Land Rover vehicles driven to create an item of sand art that was a kilometre long.

And to honour the last bow of the Defender, which after a short gap will be replaced with a totally new vehicle, the company has fielded three special editions which are a fitting tribute to the diverse applications of the Land Rover.

The first is the Defender Adventure which salutes the go-anywhere-any-time image this 4x4 has built over the years since 1948. It features new underbody protection, side-sill protection and much more for £43,495.

Then there is the Autobiography which provides more comfort and equipment than ever before, making it the most desirable Defender ever for £61,845.

And then there is the cheapest at £27,800, and the one I think is the best of the trio.

This is the Heritage Edition which evokes the history of the Defender as a modern interpretation of the famous early Land Rover, registered as HUE 166 which dates back to 1947.

With Grasmere Green paintwork, Alaska White roof and a traditional grille, silver front bumper and door hinges with heavy duty steel wheels, this model is as close as modernity allows to the Land Rovers of old. It even comes with its own HUE number plate decal on one front wing.

I have driven so many over the years including farming and military variants, including a surprisingly agile forward control military ambulance.

Star of the show was an ex-SAS ‘Pink Panther' assault vehicle which made very short work of off-roading with its massive V8 petrol engine.

But the Heritage is something special with its relatively luxurious interior and leather upholstery.

As with the other last curtainmodels, it is powered by a 2,198cc four cylinder diesel which suits it admirably.

Yes, the low-geared steering is still there and the somewhat lumbering approach to busy town motoring, but the Heritage is one of those vehicles that will go a bundle with Land Rover fans.