AN unusual car from Bolton is set to become a national TV star this Christmas.

The vehicle will be travelling back in time to star in the Heartbeat Christmas special.

Geoffrey Wright, aged 65, has had a life-long interest in old cars and motorbikes and was over-the-moon when he finally tracked down and bought his dream car, a 1966 Reliant Scimitar Coupe, 12 months ago.

He was surprised, and pleased, to be contacted six months ago by the RSSOC (Reliant Sabre and Scimitar Owners Club) asking if his vehicle could be used in an episode, called A Many Splendoured Thing, to be shown over the Christmas period.

The makers of the ITV drama wanted a 1960s model of the car, that looked new, to be used as a Christmas present from the character Lord Ashfordly, to his wife.

The car was one of only 1,000 made and one of only 300 to have been fitted with Ford Zephyr engines. Its immaculate condition and rarity have won it numerous rosettes at various vintage car shows, but as Mr Wright explained, it is not just for show.

"We went on holiday to France in it last year and the only problem we had was a puncture.

"The advantages of it are that it has a strong chassis, a glass fibre body that doesn't rust, over drive and three SU carburettors."

When it is not being driven, the striking red two-seater is garaged at his Heaton home where he has two other modern-day cars and five vintage motorbikes.

CAR ENTHUSIAST: Geoffrey Wright

DRAMA BOUND: The 1966 Reliant Scimitar Coupe