A BUS enthusiast who is single-handedly renovating a historic trolleybus has spoken of his pride at the project so far.

Peter Price began work on restoring the Bradford 758 double-deck vehicle in 2008.

The duration of the project has been down partly to his commitment to also working on other vehicles at Keighley Bus Museum, including a 1949 Belfast trolleybus.

“I’ve tried to keep all my customers happy!” said Mr Price.

The 758 was built in 1950 and first used by the public a year later.

It was the last rear-entrance, open platform trolleybus to operate not only in Bradford but across the UK before it was withdrawn from service in March, 1972.

The renovation scheme has involved more work than was first envisaged, but the top deck is now almost complete – apart from the floor covering – and the outside of the bus is painted blue in full gloss.

Mr Price, 75, is hoping to fit new windows and surrounding rubber this year as well as re-upholstering the seats.

“It’s interesting to look back on older photos – I was looking at some pictures from 2008 when I was doing the front and it was partly rotten then,” he said.

“I’m very proud of the work I’ve done, particularly the paint work.

“I really enjoy doing the paint, it’s very satisfying to see the finish.

“There’s a lot of fiddly preparation work to do.”

Once fully restored, the vehicle will head to The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft in Doncaster, where it will be fully functioning and used to transport visitors around the attraction.

Mr Price said: “The most important thing is to preserve our transport heritage.

“I love the work. It’s very satisfying.”

Anyone wishing to contribute to the restoration project can e-mail g.d.wilkinson@btinternet.com.