Panic over as Dad's Army fans foot van repairs

Fans of classic TV comedy Dad's Army have rallied together in a "fantastic response" to raise £10,500 to repair an old butcher's van from the cult series.

The Fordson BB was owned by L/Cpl Jones in the show and was bought in 2012 at auction by the Dad's Army Museum in Thetford, Norfolk, and has become one of its prize exhibits.

However, the van's annual service revealed it needed costly work and the museum launched an online fundraiser after worries about covering the bill.

Museum chairman Stuart Wright said he could not believe the target was reached in just six weeks and welcomed those who made a donation to visit and "have a cup of tea on us".

Wright said the repairs meant the 91-year-old van could now attend summer events, including the Old Buckenham Air Show and, for the first time, the Royal Norfolk Show.

Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk, he described the events as "some fantastic opportunities for those who have donated to come and see us and say hello".

At the Royal Norfolk Show later this month, the van will be accompanied by museum volunteer and author Chris Garrod, who has published a new book called Jones's Van: The Journey, to help raise museum funds.

It has charted the history of the vehicle - previously used as a baker's van and a confectioner's van - from when it was built in Dagenham, then part of Essex, in 1935.

It spent much of its working life in central London during World War Two before being found abandoned on a street in the 1960s.

BBC designer Paul Joel discovered it in a garage and adapted it for the sitcom.

It made its debut as the van of L/Cpl Jack Jones, played by Clive Dunn, who was a butcher when he wasn't on duty with the Home Guard unit, in the third series in September 1969 - and made a further 18 appearances over the next 11 years.

The show, which at the height of its popularity was watched by more than 18 million viewers, was mostly filmed in Norfolk.

Wright said that while the fundraiser had hit its target at the weekend, it would be kept open to cover another £1,500 bill after the van broke down at Bressingham Steam Museum.

He called it a "minor issue" and said it would not steer the museum's plan off course to enter the van - pulled by a Thetford-built Charles Burrell steam engine - into this year's Lord Mayor's Procession in London.

"It's our shop window and we do take it out and about... it will be instantly recognisable to the millions watching on television," said Wright.

The good news for the museum comes days after the widow of actor Ian Lavender, who played Pte Frank Pike, visited for the first time.

Michele Hardy was presented with a limited edition print of her late husband in character, created by museum artist Steve Lilly.

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