COUNTY councillor and retired newspaper editor Bob Strike had a lifelong ambition to own a luxury Rolls Royce car and his dream came unexpectedly true in 1994.

The Mail, on July 27, noted: "Mr Strike, of The Green, near Millom, found that his bid of £3,500 — the only one made for the Silver Shadow I saloon at an auction in North Yorkshire — was accepted."

His normal method of transportation to council meetings at Kendal and Carlisle was a modest Vauxhall Astra.

Mr Strike said: "I've always wanted a Rolls Royce but I never expected to get this car."

The previous owner of the car - which made around 1971 - had died and it had been off the road for four years and had mice nesting in the glove compartment.

It had 97,053 miles on the clock.

The Rolls Royce was serviced at the Grizebeck Service Station.