A rare and powerful beast that has lain dormant for thirty years is soon to be woken from its slumber.

Bradley Mill's owners Barry and Elaine Fray, of contract furniture company Fray Design, have for years wanted to restore the magnificent steam engine that powered the mill from 1901 right up until the mid 70's.

The 300hp tandem compound condensing engine built by Smith Brothers and Eastwood, one of only three engines produced by the Bradford firm, is the sole surviving example in the world.

Now, with the company due to move into new premises and plans to convert the mill, in Bradley, into flats under consideration, steam enthusiast and industrial archaeologist David Arnfield is hoping to breathe life back into the giant.

Mr Arnfield has set about restoring the 101-year-old engine to its former glory, and is currently dismantling the machine and its 12.5-ton flywheel and removing it from the mill's engine house.

The 55-year-old from Whitfield near Bury wants to reassemble the engine as a museum piece and provide the public with a glimpse into the past.

He said: "It's a great shame, there are only a few of these type of engines left. They are part of our history and heritage. Too many of them have been smashed up."

"I'm looking for a mill with an engine house, and hopefully what I'm going to do is re-erect it so that it can be open to the public for people to have a look at and schools to visit.

"It's difficult because most of the mills have gone and the ones that remain no longer have an engine house."

Mr Arnfield has had some help from Bradford council, who are aiding him in his search for a suitable mill.

He also has various other items of antique machinery from a mill in Heywood and is on the lookout for more that he can connect to the giant engine and create a fully working exhibit.

He added: "I'm looking for old cotton and wool machinery like looms and spinning machines, anything which we can make a proper exhibit of to run the engine."

Barry and Elaine Fray said: "Ever since we bought the mill we have wanted to do the engine up.

"But when we decided we were moving, our concern was that it didn't get scrapped and it went to a good home. We are very pleased that it's going to a good place."