Published: Wednesday, 6th February, 2008 10:30am

From Largs to English Riviera ... journey of a fire engine!

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A fire service enthusiast has told how he took an old Largs brigade engine all the way to Bournemouth - after buying it on EBay.

Mike Jones tracked down the unusual vehicle on the popular online auction site two years ago.

He later visited Largs and learnt all about the truck"s fascinating past tackling fires over 9 years in the local area.

Now the fire engine has been fully restored and is back in service once more - but in a whole new line of work.

These days, it is to be found conveying amazed passengers to and from such social gatherings as school proms and weddings.

Recalling his visit to Motherwell to collect the fire engine from its original owner, Mike said:

'I drove it back from there in a sorry state.

'But that March I took the fire engine to ETS Trucks in Hamworthy, Poole for a full service, safety inspection and repairs. This cost me over £1800.

'It had an MOT at the new Yellow Bus Depot in Bournemouth where it was only the 6th commercial vehicle to be Mot"d.

'It was then registered with East Dorset Council as a private hire vehicle, to enable me to do weddings and school proms etc.'

Then, in May 2006, whilst on holiday in Scotland, Mike visited Largs.

He said: 'Whilst there I was introduced to Tommy Stevens, who very kindly invited me to his home and gave me valued information.

'Tommy Stevens served at Largs Fire Station for 27 and a half years and was sub officer there for 22 years, retiring in 1997.

'My Scania Fire Engine G538 PGE would have been the last pump Tommy rode in, as it stayed in Largs until 2003.

'Unfortunately Tommy had a stroke in 2007, but the good news is he is recovering well and we wish him all the best.'

Earlier this year, Mike gave his fire engine a new lick of paint.

He said: 'All doors and mud guards had to be removed, doors re-hinged and re-hung etc.

'But after spending many thousands of pounds I believe Scania fire engine G538 PGE to be of the best ex-Strathclyde appliances to date.'

When the engine was new in 1989, it was used as the first pump at one of the fire stations in Kilmarnock.

After 5 years of service it was transferred in 1994 to Largs.

It spent a further 9 years based at Large fire station, where it was identified as pump D243.

The engine was then replaced by and served as a spare appliance for a short period at Greenock, Renfrewshire.

The engine was then retired from service and sold early to mid 2004.