THE son of a former coal magnate in Burnley has restored a vintage truck from 1928 and painted it in the colours of his father’s business.

George Catlow obtained the flat bed Austin truck from Buckinghamshire around a year ago, and has spent the last 12 months lovingly restoring it.

As well as getting it back to being roadworthy it has also been painted with the colours and logo of W Catlow and Sons, a Burnley Wood-based firm that supplied coals and fuels to the local community.

George, now 85, said: “William Catlow was my dad. I’ve got a photo from 1934 of his truck so I’ve restored it and painted it to look the same.

“I’m really pleased with it, it brought back great memories. I remember riding around on the truck with my dad when I was younger.”

W Catlow and Sons was founded in the early 20th century but ceased to exist in the 1950s. The vehicle was professionally converted during the Second World War to act as a flat bed truck, because it was almost impossible to obtain new vehicles during the 1939-1945 conflict.

George, of Edge End Lane, Nelson, said: “I’ve done a bit of work on it every day for pretty much the last year. It’s in great condition now and doesn’t require any more money spending on it.

“I’ve taken it out a few times recently. I took it to the Classic Car Show at Towneley Hall and also to similar shows in Hebden Bridge and Slaidburn.”

The vehicle is now up for sale on auction site eBay, with an advertised price of £17,000.

“There’s been some interest from Sweden,” said George. “A motor company wants to use it for advertising so they are going to come back to me if they want to make an offer.”