IT was the steamer that started the age of locomotion – George Stephenson's Rocket.

But after doing the rounds of demonstrations a faithful replica (the 1829 original survives in the Science Museum) was in the words of steam engine restorer Bill Parker "knackered".

"We were asked to restore the replica by the Science Museum so that it could again run at the National Railway Museum in York," said Bill, whose restoration team works at Bream's Flour Mill.

"However when we looked at it we saw it needed a complete remake. Only the smokestack and a few bits and pieces still survive."

On Monday the finished article set off for Bristol on a lorry after first calling at Bream Post Office to be registered. Children at Bream Primary School took the opportunity to have a look at it while it was parked outside!

Seeing it off were the men who have worked on it – including Geoff Phelps of Lydbrook, Oliver Furnell of Coleford and Phil (Harley) Davidson of Bream.