BUSY Bolton roads were slowed to a gentle pace on Thursday when a grand old lady of steam rumbled her way home after getting a brand new set of rubber tyres.

The 92-year-old, 12-ton Clayton and Shuttleworth traction engine, Lucy Ashton, which has a top speed of four miles per hour, was on her way to her winter quarters in Tyldesley from Bolton Steam Museum.

Owner George Coles, of Stretford, and Neil Carney, a member of the steam museum, have spent the last three months replacing her tyres with tank tracks which they cut into segments and flattened out using a hydraulic press.

They then had to place the heavy new tyres over the wheels and bolt them on.

Passers-by looked on in awe as Lucy clanked and puffed her way out of the museum, proudly steered by Mr Coles with a little help from model engine enthusiast and long-time friend Geoff Johnson.

Mr Coles who has owned Lucy for nearly 40 years, was pleased to be firing her up and taking her home once more:

He said: "You feel spring has come. It's amazing how the engine comes to life, like it has a personality of its own."

Engineer Alan Ratcliffe, one of the museum's longest-serving members, started the process by applying the ceremonial paraffin-soaked rag to the tinder and coal in the belly of the engine.

After a couple of hours warming up, hot yellow smoke was billowing from the chimney and the whistle was in fine voice.

Mr Ratcliffe said: "You can hear tinkling and cracking as she warms up - that's her coming alive."

The steam museum, off Chorley Old Road, Heaton stepped in when officials heard Mr Coles was looking for help with Lucy's first tyre change in 35 years.

Lucy will now be spending the summer at steam fairs and rallies.