A COUPLE from Bolton celebrated becoming captains at their golf club - by turning up in an armoured half-track vehicle used in the Normandy Landings.

Keith Lunt, aged 60, and his wife Linda, aged 59, kept up Bury Golf Club's tradition of arriving for the annual captain's drive-in in an unusual form of transport, by hiring the American half-track.

The vehicle, which dates back to 1943, was used in the Second World War before being sold to Israel and used in the Six Day War of 1967.

Surprised club members watched in astonishment as the couple, who live in Ashdean Crescent, Halliwell, rolled up at the Manchester Road club in the former assault vehicle and troop carrier.

It was discovered by Keith after he came across a company called Military Vehicle Hire following an internet search - and found out they were based in nearby Middleton.

"I couldn't believe they were based so close by," said Mr Lunt, who paid £160 to hire the vehicle.

"Of all the websites I could have looked up all round the world, the one that came up which I was interested in was based down the road."

The firm is run by Gillian Broome and her brother, Dale, and the half-track was driven to Bury by her father, who enters the vehicles in military shows.

Mr Lunt, who has been a member of the golf club for 22 years, and his wife, who has been with the club for eight years, jumped aboard in Manchester Road as the vehicle neared the club.

He added: "People were very bemused to see us in a tank.

"In past years there have been helicopters, steam engines, penny farthings, shire horses and stretch limos, but never a half-track.

"I think we've really upped the stakes for next year's captain."

Mr Lunt said the men's and women's teams had chosen their captains separately by secret ballot and it was pure chance he and his wife had been picked.

They become only the third husband and wife team to captain the sections in the club's 120-year history.

Mr Lunt's chosen charity for the year is Prostate Cancer.

A charity evening is being held at Bury's Village Hotel on May 12 in memory of well-known local businessman Alec Littlewood, who died in January after a nine-year battle with the disease.

The event is sold out but people can bid for auction items by contacting Mr Lunt on 07951 579002.