A TOY shop owner hopes sales of a model of Bolton's loco, the Lion of Vienna, will steam ahead.

David Brandwood, who owns The Toy Shop in Wright Street, Horwich, plans to customise versions of a Hornby model train to sell on to the town's train buffs.

Tiny metal plates bearing the name have been made, ready for David to fix to models of Hornby's Class 47 trains which are decked out in Virgin Trains livery.

He has already completed one official naming but there are 24 plates left to fix - when he can get his hands on enough of the model trains.

The model make-over comes just months after its larger namesake was given the title Lion of Vienna - in recognition of the town's favourite soccer son Nat Lofthouse - at an unveiling ceremony in Bolton Station.

Nat was on hand that day to perform the official naming and now David hopes to present the footballing legend with a small model memento.

Mr Brandwood, 44, is banking on the Lion of Vienna models becoming a roaring success with townsfolk.

He added: "I think many people would buy one of these trains for purely sentimental reasons. I'm sure they will appeal to train enthusiasts in Bolton as well as fans of the Wanderers."

Model enthusiast and Wanderer's fan David previously combined his two passions to help create models versions of the Trotters' team and supporters' coach. He has even produced tiny versions of the town's star steeplejack Fred Dibnah.

He hopes to have the Lion of Vienna train models on sale early next year, and added: "It would be a nice idea to present one to Nat Lofthouse. It's something I have thought about."

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