A FAMILY of steam roller enthusiasts are appealing for help to get their pride and joy rolling around the region once more.

Anthony Coulls and his family took custodianship of Aveling & Porter steam roller 3315 in 2003 after it had been stood idle for almost half a century.

The 15-ton piece of machinery was built in 1894 and worked on roads in the North of England until the late 1950s.

Now, dismantled in Staffordshire awaiting repair, Mr Coulls and his family hope to raise £5,000 to fix the steam roller and bring it back to Shildon in full steam.

The father-of-two said: “We know we are only custodians of this vintage machine but if we do the work that needs doing now then it means it’s in a fitter state for future generations to enjoy.

“We would like young people to be able to enjoy steam engines and old machines.”

Mr Coulls is a trustee of the family founded Hephaestus Trust which has carried out work on the steam roller for the last decade.

So far the steam boiler has been rebuilt, the coal tender has been renewed and broken cast iron parts have been repaired.

The biggest job however, is replacing all of the gears and an an axle.

Mr Coulls added: “These are major repairs which the trust cannot afford, and run to £5000 including the cost of recertifying the boiler for use.

“The rest of the roller is in excellent condition after the initial restoration. Once complete, the roller will be shown at events, schools and gatherings in County Durham and Northumberland, where it once worked.

“It will be reunited with the roller driver’s living van and a classic water cart to make a full road train able to tell the story of road mending across the UK.”

It is hoped the £5,000 target will be reached this year to allow time for the repairs to be carried out before the steam roller’s 125th anniversary in 2019.

A crowdfunding page has been set up to raise the £5,000 needed and so far £2,500 has been donated.

A number of incentives are offered to supporters from prints to spending a day on the road with the roller.

To donate visit: crowdfunder.co.uk/on-a-roll-1 or contact Anthony Coulls at ajcoulls@yahoo.co.uk or by calling 07833-194286.