A 90-YEAR-OLD delivery cart which stood decaying and used as a chicken coop has been lovingly restored by a Wensleydale man.

Max Hardcastle bought the vehicle after it was spotted on a farm near Easingwold, where it was used to house poultry.

After 18 months' work by himself and friend Ian Thirlwall, he hopes the 1912 cart could feature in the Dales Food and Drink Festival at Leyburn.

"We had to virtually rebuild it and Ian put in more than 100 hours on the bodywork," said Mr Hardcastle, of Harmby, near Leyburn.

Plans from the Transport Museum in London helped the pair use the right canvas for the roof and gave an idea of the livery. The cart was painted in chocolate brown and golden cream, in line with the trade colours of the day.

"For instance, butchers' carts were always blue and cream, fishmongers' carts were green and cream, and so on," said Mr Hardcastle, a retired author. "It made them easy to recognise."

The ironwork and brass had survived, though it required extensive restoration, but replica lamps had to be fitted.

Mr Hardcastle hopes a food company might like to use the cart in the festival over the first weekend in May. He can be contacted on 01969 622849