SINGING sensation Andy Prior steamed into The Fylde recently to raise money for the famous children's charity ChildLine.

Andy and co-owner Alan Edgar brought their 12 tonne steam engine called Respite to St Michael's on Wyre last weekend in a bid to raise awareness of the charity - and promises that more venues will follow.

After spending three years renovating the 1933 engine, Andy feels it's time to take to the streets for the charity.

"It's always been a big of a dream of mine to own a steam engine ever since I saw the film Iron Maiden," said Andy.

"Now after 30 years it has finally come true. But it's been a lot of hard work to turn what was originally a steam roller into a showman's engine - it's been well worth it though.

"The idea of me taking my engine around is not necessarily to raise loads of money, but rather to raise awareness that there is a number children can ring if they simply need someone to talk to.

"We want to bring it to St Annes soon but we need somewhere for it to stop during the nights."

Andy's wife Jane, who he married in Las Vegas in March, is on the Blackpool Committee of ChildLine and their four children, James, Jordan, Kendal and Kassidy are all involved in fund-raising activities.

Andy, who has moved back to Blackpool after living in Warwickshire for three years, said: "Blackpool has been so good to me and that's why I want to put something back into the area with the engine.

"I'm a great believer that if you get to people at an early age and help them with whatever problems they have, they're better people in later life.

"This engine represents what you can do if you have a dream - so if you see us around on the engine pip your horns, stop and give us a bit of money."

If you need to call ChildLine the number is 0800 1111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.