A BUSINESSMAN who lovingly created a caravan from scratch 45 years ago has been reunited with it after a chance sighting of it on ebay.

Frank Holgate learned how to use a hammer and nails at the age of two and built the state-of-the-art four-birth Silverlight caravan in 1963 – when it sold for about £540.

Two weeks ago Mr Holgate, chair of the family-owned Holgates Holiday Park in Silverdale, bought the 12-feet antique back for £700 after it was spotted by a friend.

He recognised the Holgate logo on the van while surfing on Ebay.

And after bidding at the online auction, the family waited with bated breath to see if they had bought it.

The caravan is now being showcased in its birth place at the family’s flagship caravan site.

Mr Holgate, 70, said: “It was a bit of a blast from the past to be honest and makes you wonder where all the years have gone.

"I never expected to come across any of our originals but it’s wonderful to have it back with us and we’re excited to get some refurbishment plans under way.”

The Holgates stopped making bespoke caravans in 1964 and concentrated on caravan parks, a business now taken on by his two sons and daughter.

Mr Holgate’s wife of 47 years, Judith, used to pose as a model next to each new addition to the Holgate caravan range.

Mr Holgate said: “I am currently trying to persuade Judith to model next to it again for old time’s sake. We’re still in negotiations shall we say – she’s always been a bit camera shy believe it or not!”

Mr Holgate, who learned the art of joinery from his late father, William, and began manufacturing touring caravans for the family business at 16, said that it was ‘good’ to get their hands back on the caravan. It has.

“It is in really good condition. We do have another older caravan here but it is not in as good condition as this one,” he added.