THE ultimate £200,000 star of the highways has arrived in the UK, thanks to a North Yorkshire entrepreneur.

The Wanderlodge motor home is sure to catch your eye as it travels down the A1 or A64, for it weighs in at 16 tonnes and is 38ft long.

Proud owners of the five-star hotel-on-wheels include Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong, country music giant Willie Nelson and Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.

Now Alan Sykes, brother of property tycoon Paul Sykes, has signed a deal, thought to be the first in the country, to import six of them from the US.

He believes the vehicle, which comes with a double bedroom, bathroom and living room complete with plasma screen TVs, is a must have for racing teams and wealthy individuals who want to tour in comfort.

He first encountered the Wanderlodge when he was visiting a construction and plant business in Atlanta, where the vehicles are manufactured.

Mr Sykes, of Harrogate-based Sykes International, said: "It's great for going to horse racing meetings or car racing.

"It's a great way to travel and a bit of fun, and allows sponsors to take their guests to an event and entertain them too.

"The double bedroom is a real double bedroom, and the shower is as big as mine at home.

"I have been in the heavy plant and equipment business for 30-plus years, and in that time have done business with many companies from all around the world.

"It has been a pleasant change to be involved in this type of vehicle rather than the usual daily routine of dump trucks, cranes and excavators"

The Wanderlodge M380 has sleeping accommodation for eight people, can carry 14 passengers and with a press of a button extends out by 3.5 feet.

It also has a self-levelling device for when it is parked on a slope.

It is driven by a 400 horse power turbo diesel engine, and has slide-out interior suites to create extra living space.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, December 20, 2004