A GENUINE 1920's motorcycle sidecar made by the Speedwell Manufacturing Company of Alcester has had a complete refurbishment and is looking for a new home.

Alcester residents Terry Carter and Roger Eyles have been working on the sidecar with sponsorship by Alcester & District Local History Society after it was found in a ruined condition 16 years ago.

The Speedwell sidecar was made by the company at its Bleachfield Street works in about 1921 and was found by town councillor John Bunting in the former workshop of Frank Woodfield, a local cabinet maker and former employee of the company, after he died in 1991.

Terry said: "Roger and I were asked by John to have a go at working on the sidecar. I worked in vintage motorbike restoration for 20 years and Roger used to race motorbikes. We were both very interested so said yes straight away."

They worked on the car for about four months and didn't always have an easy ride.

"It was in pretty bad shape. They used animal glue back then and it had been eaten away by termites. It wasn't something I had done before but luckily Roger works on models and had experience dealing with fragile pieces," added Terry.

"The biggest problem was taking it apart. We had to be gentle so we didn't lose the shape and cause damage to the framework."

The sidecar is currently on display at Alcester's Heritage Centre at Globe House where it can stay until Christmas but it is hoped that a permanent home can be found where it can remain on display.

Any local organisations interested in providing a home for it can call Terry Carter on 01789 763972.