Simon SHELLEY'S mother is delighted when he pays her a visit -- even though he takes along massive lorry.

He drives 300 miles from his Keighley home to Essex in his restored AC Mammoth Major Mk 5.

Not only does Simon believe he owns the only such vehicle -- which was built in 1964 -- in the area.

He reckons no one else locally has driven their historic lorry so many miles to attend a vehicle rally.

Simon, of North Queen Street, each year combines a trip to his home town with a visit to the nearby Oldham Rally.

Two years ago he decided to make the 600-mile round trip in his Mammoth Major, a heavy haulage tractor unit.

Originally operated by the Royal Navy, in Fulham, the vehicle pulled trailers filled with torpedoes.

Simon began restoring the lorry when it was owned by his friend John Tweedey and continued after buying it five years ago.

Helped by friends and fellow historic vehicle enthusiasts, Simon spent many months preparing the lorry for the trip.

And he admitted it was touch and go

Simon said: "Most people around here would go about 100 miles to a vehicle rally, in convoy.

"There aren't many who would drive 600 miles by themselves.

Simon has always loved lorries. Ever since seeing his father drive them around Essex.