GREEN motoring is very much in vogue these days with hybrid and electric cars being pushed by the manufacturers.

Back in 1987, the motoring world was getting very excited following an announcement from Ford in Germany that they had produced a solar-powered camper van.

Admirable as that may have been, for Bolton resident Barry Sykes it was nothing particularly special. For Barry of Beverly Road had been running around in his own solar powered vehicle for the previous nine months.

Barry had converted his 14-year-old Winnebago Brave camper to solar power by installing four panels on the roof.

He had used a local company to fit them and had enjoyed a free power supply, curtesy of Mother Nature, ever since.

He had previously run all the camper van’s accessories from a petrol driven generator.

“It used a gallon of petrol every two hours,” he said. “Now I get the power to run the batteries free.”

As well as a shower, a kitchen and sleeping quarters, Barry had even installed a video recorder into the van so he could watch films when parked up on his travels - all solar powered.

The N-reg camper, which cost Barry £10,000, was his pride and joy.

“It only goes to prove that we are one step in front of the Germans - and that Bolton is best,” he said.