AN ENTHUSIAST wants to rescue a steam engine which has been repeatedly vandalised.

David Arnfield would like to move the winding engine, which is in a 'poor condition' in the grounds of Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, to 'safety'.

He plans to restore it to its former glory and put it on public display in Lancashire, and is presently agreeing terms with the borough council.

Paula Maccabee of the council's property department said it was a mystery how the engine came to be in the authority's ownership.

She explained: 'The curator at the Boat Museum understands the engine was left in the Iron Shed, now the Craft Workshops, by a former tenant.

'It was moved to Powells Bridge car park and a feature created with a slate roof above. The engine and engine house are in a poor condition and are regularly vandalised.'

Now Mr Arnfield, a trustee of the Ellenroad Engine House in Rochdale and founder member of the Northern Mill Engine Society, has applied to remove the engine.

He plans to restore it to working order at either Ellenroad or the scheduled ancient monument The Grane Mill in Haslingdean, both of which are open to the public. Miss Maccabee said: 'The removal of the engine would prevent its further deterioration.

'The engine house would also be removed, and no further repair and replacement costs will be incurred as a result of vandalism or other damage.

'The winding house would then be made safe and the site included in any future use/development of that land.

'On the completion of the lease of the main car park to the Boat Museum, Powells Bridge car park will no longer be required as an overspill car park and will be made available for development.'

She added Mr Arnfield would be responsible for collecting the engine himself, with no fee payable to or by the council, and if the engine's owner was ever found, it would have to be returned to them.

Jim McKeown, the museum's boat and engineering manager, said: 'The hut the engine is in has been burnt down and vandalised two or three times.

'It's not doing it any good staying there. It would be far better off at Ellenroad where we have sent other things.'