The last ever trolley bus to operate in Keighley is finally coming back home. The Straker-Clough trackless - believed to be the oldest of its kind left in the world - is being brought back to its home town by the Keighley Bus Museum Trust.

If all goes to plan, the double-decker will be delivered in April to the museum's Dalton Lane depot, where it will be restored and put on view to the public.Director Graham Mitchell says: "There were 10 built in 1924 but nine were scrapped in 1932, so it is a unique piece of Keighley's transport history.

"It was operated by the old Keighley Corporation Tramway company and provided a service between Stockbridge, Ingrow and Utley. "It is in fairly good condition with the original livery and corporation crest still visible, although it will need seats installing and electrical work carrying out. Members of the public will be able to see it in the depot, and if it is feasible, we would like to take it out to shows and public events."

The vintage vehicle is currently in storage at Bradford's industrial museum in Eccleshill, which will loan out the vehicle to the KBM. It is the latest twist in the history of the bus which has had many different homes since its retirement in 1932.

It was saved from the scrap yard by brothers Maurice and Sidney Fowlds, who ran a haulage company in Thwaites. "They had the idea of taking it to Threshfield and turning it into a holiday home," explains Sidney's son-in-law Jack Hollingsworth. "When they towed the thing it actually got stuck underneath a bridge at Skipton, but it managed to get there in the end.

"It stayed there until one of their ex-drivers bought it, but after a neighbour complained about it, he took it to Peter Black's collection, and from there it has finally ended up at the industrial museum."

Things have come full circle for Jack, who is now one of the drivers of Bertie, the miniature vintage bus operated by Keighley Rotary Club of Keighley.

Rotary club member Nick Lajszczuk says: "Bertie has become incredibly popular with everyone and he is a good way of raising money for various charities."

Bertie will make his first outing of the year on May 6 at the vintage vehicle gathering in Cullingworth. Anyone who would like to hire Bertie should contact Nick Lajszczuk on 01535671771.

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