TWO military enthusiasts who restored a rare Second World War ambulance have appealed for new owners to come forward and save the vehicle from the scrapyard.

Friends Bob Chadwick and Mick Cowcill spent three years renovating the dilapidated green Austin K2 ambulance for the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

They took part in the commemoration event with veterans at the Dutch town last month. Their ambulance is one of only 39 surviving vehicles of its kind in the world. It was known by British troops as the "blood wagon".

Now the pair are struggling to find a suitable place to store the 60-year-old ambulance and they fear that unless a buyer is found, they will have to dismantle the vehicle.

Mr Chadwick said: "If we cannot sell the ambulance it will have been three hard years of work for nothing. We just cannot store the vehicle and it needs to go to a loving home. The ambulance should go to a museum or a private owner who can look after it."

The two men travelled in the ambulance to Arnhem from the Dutch port of Rotterdam, along the route Allied troops took 60 years ago.

Mr Chadwick, aged 49, from Halliwell, said it had been an emotional journey for both of them.

He said: "There was a lot of pleasure and satisfaction involved as we drove through the streets of Arnhem. It was great to be involved in the procession, with all the veterans. There has been so much hard work put into this vehicle."

Mr Cowcill, who is a member of a military club, bought the vehicle for £2,000 from another member three years ago

He abandoned the restoration work a few months later but his friend Mr Chadwick, decided to help him with the project and they restarted work.

For nine months, they spent every day working on the ambulance up until they left for their trip to Arnhem - even carrying out repair work on the day of departure.

Anyone interested in the ambulance can contact Mr Chadwick on 01204 392456.