Spectacular New Year's Day for police car enthusiast

4:30pm Monday 5th January 2009

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A FORMER police officer from Bridgwater has kick-started his new year in style by taking part in a spectacular event that attracts thousands of spectators each year.

Police car enthusiast Tim Smith and his 13-year-old son Tobye were invited to take part in the New Year's Day parade in London to represent the Police Car UK organisation.

The pair travelled to London early on New Year's Day to meet up with fellow enthusiasts and embark on the extraordinary parade around iconic locations such as Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Piccadilly Circus.

Tim, who served in the Sussex police force for 11 years and now works for the Highways Agency, has a passion for restoring decommissioned police cars and the Mercury reported in 2006, how he restored a 1985 Grenada 2.8i to working condition.

Our report revved up interest from Kent Police who bought Tim's pride and joy for their museum.

That left Tim feeling a little bereft, so he then searched high and low on eBay for his next project.

In October 2007, he purchased a 1994 2.9 Granada and has lovingly restored it to its original working state, including the flashing lights and full police print.

Tim and Tobye embarked on the two-hour plus parade around London in the car, and enjoyed what Tim described as an “indescribable buzz”.

He said: “We both had an excellent day in London and the weather was perfect for it.

“It was Tobye's first time around the parade and he is really impressed with the ribbon and medal he received from the Mayor of London for taking part in the event.

“Everyone is just so happy to be there and the atmosphere really is something different. It is a great feeling to see people you do not know offering help and wishing you a happy new year.

“It is very difficult to describe how incredible the event is. You could take the Bridgwater Carnival and times it by ten. It was like being in another world.”