A RARE vintage gas engine built in Keighley over a century ago will be among the star attractions at a festival next month.

The Imperial Pitt was manufactured in around 1916 by the Keighley Gas & Oil Engine Company, at its Imperial Works in the town.

It was then shipped new to Australia.

The engine is now owned by a Hull-based collector, Andy Milestone, who will be exhibiting it at Tractor Fest – which takes place at Newby Hall in North Yorkshire over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.

Andy, a retired engineer, has owned the Imperial Pitt for almost a year after it was offered to him by a fellow collector.

It is the latest addition to an 80-strong collection of engines owned by him and his sons Mike and James.

"I’ve recently visited the Bradford archives to find out as much as I can about the engine and its manufacturer," said Andy.

"It was built in about 1916 and would have gone straight to Australia. I think it was brought back to the UK 16 to 20 years ago, and was owned by three people before me."

An agent’s plate on the engine is from an Australian company.

The Imperial Pitt would have been used to drive equipment on farms or in industrial workshops.

It uses a gas burner to heat a hot tube ignition, and gas also provides the fuel to power the engine.

Andy has refurbished parts of the engine, including installing a new cooling tank and exhaust system.

"I’ve been an engine collector for more than 50 years," he says.

"I’m pleased to be taking the Imperial Pitt to Tractor Fest, along with three more of our engines which date from 1905 to 1912."

Tractor Fest is the UK’s largest tractor and stationary engine festival.

Taking place from Friday, June 3, to Sunday, June 5, it will feature thousands of vintage tractors, stationary engines, cars, lorries and motorcycles.

In celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, there will also be a display of 70-year-old Jubilee and Coronation tractors.

Other attractions at the event will include entertainment, crafts, trade stands, food and drink, mini-tractor driving, face painting and interactive exhibits.

The festival is open from 10am to 5pm each day.

Tickets are £16 for adults, and £12 for children. Under-fours are admitted free. Family tickets, admitting two adults and two children, are £50.

For further information, visit tractorfest.uk.