WHEN Liverpool Airport decided to sell off four old St Helens Corporation Transport vehicles, Carl and Sean Naylor were determined not to miss the bus!

So the bus-mad brothers from Billinge bought one of the old 'Corpy' buses for £500. The airport had originally acquired the buses in 1983, but by 1991 they were surplus to requirements. That's when Carl (24), a Pilks craftsman, and 22-year-old Sean, stepped in. The two brothers had developed their fondness for buses through dad Geoff, a St Helens busman for 28 years.

Since then, working in their spare time, they have spent six years lovingly restoring and refurbishing the vehicle, an AEC Swift originally built in 1971.

Carl told the Star: "The bus was completely knackered when we bought it. It had been mechanically abused over the years and needed a complete engine overhaul. That's why it has taken us six years to refurbish it and get it back into its original state.

"As well as putting in a new engine, we've had to replace the side panels of the bus and quite a few of the seats, as well as other various parts."

Now that the bus has been completely restored the brothers, who still own the vehicle, have loaned it to the Sheffield Bus Museum and it is now available for public viewing.

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