Bradford businessman Kevin Metcalfe is the proud owner of seven Rolls-Royces.

The revelation comes a week after a survey showed that the Bradford district boasts more Rolls-Royces and Bentleys per head of population than almost everywhere else in the country.

The 57-year-old of Clayton, Bradford, has a collection of pre-war Rollers - and believes there could be scores more hidden away in garages across the district.

"There used to be a lot of money in Bradford before World War II and all the rich mill owners had Rolls-Royces," he said.

"Now the mills have gone but there are still the cars around. I know dozens of people who have them.

"Who knows what's hidden away and forgotten about in people's garages?"

Mr Metcalfe bought his first Rolls-Royce in 1973 and paid for it with a collection of antique guns. He later sold it for £1,750.

"That one was just a car to use and it was not until 1981 that I started my collection of old Rolls-Royces," he said.

He bought his first old Roller, a 1932 limousine and still has it in his collection.

A mechanic, welder and panel-beater by trade, Mr Metcalfe ran his own garage in Tong Street until 1990 and now restores pre-war cars for a living.

"What was a hobby has turned into a way of life as well as it being my business," he said.

"I just love old cars and enjoy bringing them back to life."

His collection of Rolls-Royces includes a burgundy and black 1928 Laundaulette - a limousine with a roof that opens at the back to transform the car into an open tourer.

And he also boasts a 1933 Braugham de Ville which is open at the front for the driver and the back seating section is a covered carriage.

It has deep blue wings and a burgundy body.

But Mr Metcalfe said he could not put a price on his prized collection.

"Nor would I part with them, Rolls-Royces are the ultimate cars and if anyone wanted to buy them I would want a lot of money, an awful lot of money," he said.

Two of his Rolls-Royces are on the road, two more are in pieces and the rest are in varying states of repair.

The car fanatic restores old cars with his 22-year-old son David, and wife Lucy, 54, also helps out with the business.

For daily use he drives a Cherokee 4x4, and his wife has a Ford Fiesta. He also boasts two Bentleys, a 1930 Ford Model A and a 1933 Austin 7. That is known as the Austin Squirrel two litre sports and only six were made.

"We enjoy going out in the cars now and then and we turn a few heads when we pull up in a Rolls-Royce," he said.

"It's not as much a rich man's car anymore but they do denote quality and it's still the best car around."

e-mail: carolyne.coyle@bradford.newsquest.co.uk