Flying car arrives at Children's Hospice South West

Chitty replica made by Lympstone pensioner

A dedicated Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fan has made a replica of the famous flying car, which has brought smiles to the faces of children being supported by Children's Hospice South West.

Kevin Edge, a retired kitchen fitter from Lympstone, made the magical car in his workshop, using various materials, including household objects such as a toilet brush holder and a thermal flask.

Members of the community donated parts to support his creation; a local garage donated car dials, while an upholsterer donated real leather for the seats.

Mr Edge, 72, who worked on Chitty for two years, has donated the car to the Devon-based charity, where it is now being enjoyed by children at the charity’s Charlton Farm hospice near Bristol.

Karen Greaves, head of care at Charlton Farm, said: “Kevin’s beautiful car takes pride of place at the family entrance to the hospice, and is such a joyous thing for families to see when they visit Charlton Farm.

“It has already been a huge hit at the hospice and we’ve got plans to give the wall next to Chitty a sky theme to really give her wings.”

Kevin, who has also built a Thomas the Tank Engine replica will soon be working on a Tardis and a Dalek from the sci-fi TV programme, Doctor Who. Kevin said he was touched by the work of the charity and hoped he could ‘bring some sunshine into the lives of children at the hospice.