Hang on! Top Gear take The Italian Job to Belfast

Television's notorious motoring trio are hoping to recreate the film of the world's most famous trio of Mini Coopers.

The originals were filmed in the newly-finished sewers under Coventry in time for The Italian Job's release in 1969.

Now Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are planning to recreate the chase in massive sewers being installed in Belfast, according to the BBC website.

A show spokesperson said they hoped to film in the six-mile sewer network in the coming weeks, reported the website.

The programme would help to promote the huge Belfast Sewers Project, which is due for completion next year. NI Water reportedly approached the programme about the idea.

In the 1969 film, a gang led by Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) used the sewers in an attempt to escape the Carabinieri after a gold heist.

In the 2009 version, few would bet against Clarkson delivering the film's most famous line: "You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"

And May would seem the likely candidate for "Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea..."