Cambridge man claims world first for three-wheel Chitty replica
John Rothwell based his design on pictures of the original car found on the internet
A jeweller claims he has created the world's first three-wheeled Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica after spending £4,000 on converting a Reliant Rialto.
John Rothwell, 51, from Cambridge, began work on the vehicle in May 2011.
He said: "I joked to some of my trike-riding friends that one day I'd build a trike version of the Chitty car."
He now uses the vehicle, which has passed its MoT and is insured for use on the road, at events to raise money for the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust.
John said "The car is still a work in progress, and I tinker with it whenever I get the chance."
It took part in a motorbike tour delivering Christmas presents to children's wards at Addenbrooke's
Mr Rothwell said despite being "pretty good with my hands" the project was a "steep learning curve".
"I didn't have any designs and I've never even seen the original in real life, so my trike is based on pictures from the internet," he said.
The car has leather seats and can only be used during good weather
Ian Flemming's only children's book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was published in 1964 and was later turned into a film.
It tells the story of a car which is renovated by an inventor and takes him and his family off on adventures.
Mr Rothwell, who has worked at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for seven years, said: "I now have the world's only Chitty trike."
BBC Local Live: Cambridgeshire