A HISTORIC trolleybus could be restored to its former glory within months.

The Straker Clough trackless trolleybus, believed to be the only one of its kind still in existence, is currently undergoing painstaking renovation at Keighley Bus Museum.

And it is hoped the project will be complete in time for Keighley Transport Festival in May.

Gerald Newton, who is spearheading the restoration, is to give a talk about the mammoth effort at a meeting of Keighley and District Local History Society.

His presentation – upstairs at Keighley Library on Wednesday, February 12 – will include slides showing the bus from its days operating in the town and photos charting the refurbishment.

“The bus – known as Keighley No 5 – was built specially to run in the town,” said Mr Newton.

“Trolleybuses operated in Keighley between 1913 and 1932.

“This particular one entered service in 1924, operating between Utley, Stockbridge and Ingrow until 1932.

“It drew power from overhead cables, but didn’t run along tracks.”

After its withdrawal from service, Keighley No 5 ended up being used as a holiday home in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1950s and 60s.

It was later ‘rescued’ by transport historian John Stanley King and presented to Keighley Corporation, before going through the hands of the Peter Black vehicle collection and Bradford Industrial Museum.

In 2000, custodianship was taken on by Keighley Bus Museum Trust.

* The February 12 talk starts at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm. Tea and coffee will be served.

Everyone is welcome. Admission is £3, or £1 for history society members.

For more details about the society, visit keighleyhistory.org.uk or Facebook.