THE inventor of a unique car which runs on gas generated from coffee production waste has drawn a blank in his efforts to sell the recording-breaking vehicle.

Martin Bacon was hoping to use proceeds from the sale of his coffee car to fund his next project.

The car - a specially modified 1989 Ford P100 pick up - secured its place in the Guinness Book of Records last year after reaching an average speed of more than 65mph.

It then clocked up another 2,000 miles on a round-Britain tour.

Mr Bacon, who runs Teesdale Conservation Volunteers (Rotters) at Startforth, near Barnard Castle, put the coffee car up for sale on eBay at the beginning of January.

It generated interest from around the world and he received a number of inquiries about the car - but no firm offers to buy it.

"I'm stuck with it," said Mr Bacon.

"There were so many people getting in touch with questions and queries, but it's a limited market and there have been no takers.

"I am not quite sure what to do at the moment. There are still a few people asking questions about the car and I am still open to offers."

Mr Bacon was hoping to raise about £5,000 from the car's sale. The money would go to a new project - most likely a waste-powered boat or aircraft.

The record-breaking vehicle was actually the third coffee car built by Mr Bacon.

His first version was used on the BBC's Bang Goes The Theory. A second model followed and was later stripped down with parts used on the final coffee car.

Fuel comes from coffee chaff pellets heated in a charcoal fire, where they break down to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

The gas is cooled and filtered before hydrogen is combusted to drive the engine.

Mr Bacon reached an average speed of 65.5mph in his coffee car, a record for a vehicle powered by gasification, at Woodford Airfield, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in February last year.

Anyone interested in Mr Bacon's coffee car can contact him at Rotters, on 01833-690022.