GLIDING around town in a civic Rolls-Royce was once par for the course for a former mayor, but he now proudly possesses his own version - a 'souped-up' electronic wheelchair model!

For the courage of ex-soldier Lawrence Tucker, who was paralysed by a stroke in 1997, has been recognised with the 'award', following a combined military operation involving the Army Benevolent Fund, regimental associations and several charities.

The £5,000 fund-raising campaign was spearheaded by SSAFA Forces Help case worker and ex-RSM Hedley Pendlebury, of Eccleston, while sappers of 107 Field Squadron added the escort at the hand-over ceremony at Lawrence's 'home posting.'

Making the presentation, SSAFA chairman Major Alex Littlejohn wished likeable Lol - who was Mayor of St Helens in 1990-91 - many years of happy motoring in his push-button dream machine, which is battery-powered and fully automatic.

Specially adapted to cope with the thankful Tucker's disabled left side, the futuristic technical masterpiece sports many additional features including number plate reading 'Lol 1' five forward and five reverse speeds, horn, lights, seat adjustment and belt.

Married to Marjorie, father-of-five Lol had a distingiushed military career in serving with the Border Regiment, the Paras and the Territorial arm of the Royal Engineers, in which he rose to the rank of staff sergeant and was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

He told the Star: "I am eternally grateful to everyone who contributed to this wonderful gesture, in particular Mr Pendlebury for his untiring fund-raising for the wheelchair, which has opened up a whole new life for me."

But perhaps the biggest clue to the 69-year-old ex-Pilkington employee's unfailing sense of humour is emblazoned on the tail section of Lol's 'Rolls Royce' which declares: 'No one pushes me around!'

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