Green Goddess bought by builder

Dave Pugh plans to take the vehicle to local schools

A Worcestershire man has splashed out on his own Green Goddess fire engine.

Builder Dave Pugh took advantage of the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) decision to offload some of its fleet of Bedford vehicles, which were made in the 1950s.

Mr Pugh, a father-of-two from Droitwich Spa, bought one of 40 Green Goddesses sold off by Lincolnshire firm Witham Specialist Vehicles last month.

He said the vehicle only had 3,000 miles on the clock, despite the fact it was built 50 years ago.

The MoD fire engines were sold by the company, which deals in vehicles the UK government no longer wants, at prices between £3,500 and £6,000.

It only does about eight miles to the gallon - leaded petrol of course Dave Pugh

Mr Pugh said: "One careful owner is spot on, and it came with a complete maintenance history.

"It was usually moved on a low-loader, it was kept in a heated warehouse and it was properly maintained all the time in case it was needed.

"Because it's so old, it doesn't need taxing or an MOT, it doesn't need seat belts and you can drive it with an ordinary car licence.

"But it only does about eight miles to the gallon - leaded petrol of course," he added.

Mr Pugh said he planned to display his purchase at charity events, rallies and local schools, as well as taking it for the occasional spin around the lanes of Worcestershire.