A VINTAGE Rolls-Royce specially built for big game hunters on the plains of Africa will now be transporting game hunters on the North-East moors.

Lartington Estates, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, has acquired a £30,000 Rolls Royce HJ Mulliner Estate Wagon, nicknamed Bubbles, to transport the estate's shooting parties.

The car was made in 1935 and adapted to hold nine occupants on big game hunting parties in Rhodesia.

Part of its fittings include holders on the bumpers for poles so that an awning could be erected over the entire car.

During the Second World War, the car was seized by the Germans and used as a staff vehicle.

It was eventually bought by the Wrigley family, of chewing gum fame, where it acquired its nickname and was shipped to their private estate on Santa Catalina Island, California.

The car, which has a top speed of 76mph and does 18 miles to the gallon, will now be used to collect shooting parties from Darlington railway station, or Durham-Tees Valley International Airport and bring them to Lartington.

John Mayhew, who owns Lartington Estates and Rules game restaurant, in London, said: "I was after a Rolls Royce so I could have the RR of Rolls Royce and Rules Restaurant, but I also wanted something that could carry people, so when I found this I bought it.

"I think people will have a lot of fun in it. It certainly turned a few heads when we drove it up from London.

"It is being resprayed green, as it was green and cream, but we thought that was a bit Californian and green was its original colour and more in keeping with Teesdale."