A Horwich man will have his full name displayed on his car number plate when he takes possession of a new Vauxhall Astra next month.

Mr Beau, of Churchward Square, does not have a christian name after changing his name in 1973 to what was a name given to him as a child by his mum.

His new number plate has cost him a total of £399, which he considers a bargain after hearing someone paid £8,000 for a personal plate.

Mr Beau's plate will read B16EAU ( he happens to have been born on December 16) and he has been told that he will be the first person in the country to have his full name on his car registration plate.

He has wanted a personalised number plate for a long time and when he spotted it for sale immediately staked his claim.

He can't wait to pick up his new car on May 9 from Vauxhall dealers Kirkby Central at Manchester Road, Bolton, and coincidently will be their 6000th customer.

Mr Beau, aged 66, decided on a different name when, as an organist for MGM, he did not think his old name suited his profession, and decided to apply for a change of name deed.

He has a lifetime contract with MGM, starting with the company in 1958 when he toured cinemas for three years with the film Gigi and he still plays the organ every week at the Greenwood public house at Chorley New Road in Horwich.

Mr Beau, admits that his name does cause a few problems as some people cannot accept that he has no Christian name.

" I can't have my name in the telephone directory because they need an initial but I will be appearing in the next issue as X Beau. However on my driving licence I am just Beau and I am Mr Beau on the electoral roll," he said.

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