A CLASSIC Rolls Royce with a long history in Farnhill returned to Craven for a special occasion.

In May 1993, the 20/25 HP Rolls Royce Wraith was purchased by J H Reddihough of Farnhill Hall, Farnhill.

Their chauffeur at the time was Herman Craven Lofthouse, who drove the car from new until it was sold in 1958.

"Mr Reddihough paid £2,000 for the car in 1933, which was a princely sum," said Bradley man John Lofthouse, who is Herman's grandson.

John and his dad, Arthur Lofthouse, were reunited with the car in 2006 when its present owner, Malcolm Heath, from Linstead Parva in Suffolk, attended a Rolls Royce rally at Harewood House and called in at Farnhill with the car.

"Even though the car originated in Yorkshire, it has been all over the world to various Rolls Royce rallies," said John.

Earlier this year, John contacted Malcolm to see if he would be kind enough to let his family have the classic Rolls Royce as a wedding car at his son Andrew's wedding.

So on September 30, 2017, the car returned to Craven and Andrew and his bride, formally Miss Libby Wells, from Addingham, were married and the car took them from the ceremony to their wedding reception.

John said: "It was a wonderful day, made extra special by the kindness of Malcolm that Herman's great grandson and his bride could ride in the same car driven by Herman in 1933.

"To see it arrive with Libby in it was an amazing sight," said John. "It was very, very emotional for me because I remember the car as a boy. Once my grandfather took me to school in it."

John was also pleased the owner, Malcolm Heath, also really enjoyed being a part of the special occasion.

"It was a long way for him to come, but Malcolm said he was honoured and pleased to play a part in the wedding, and said it was a very memorable occasion for him."