Saville looks the complete country gentleman.

Motorist Saville Ashworth felt sure he would lose his driving licence after being involved in an accident earlier this year, so he decided to buy a horse and trap. However, when his case was heard at court he didn't lose his licence, but went ahead and took the move to horse power just the same. Now Saville, his horse Golden Boy, and four-seater trap are fast becoming a talking point among his neighbours in Harle Syke. Saville of Burnley Road, Harle Syke, broke his hip in the crash in March, and it was during the 11 weeks he spent in hospital that he hit on the idea of changing his mode of transport.

"It's just like learning to drive all over again, except that the engine's alive." said Saville, a surface grinder at Rolls-Royce, Barnoldswick. Saville and his wife, Barbara, took their first trip behind Golden Boy on Wednesday, when they trotted to a blacksmith's in Burnley. However, in Ormerod Road they got into difficulties when the horse began reversing instead of simply stopping and ended up in something of a tangle. The sight of horse-drawn transport again has startled people in Harle Syke, but Saville junior, Mr Ashworth's son can't wait for the day he will be behind the reins.