A Staffordshire man has come up with a novel way of making the school journey more exciting for his daughter - by taking her to school in a Gulf War tank.

Lester Stacey, from Eccleshall, paid �40,000 for the unusual 28-ton vehicle.

Last week, daughter Lola, seven, caused a stir among her classmates at Lonsdale Primary school when she arrived in the unique mode of transport.

She said: "They were shouting and really screaming their heads off saying why did you come in a tank.

'Expensive toys'

"I said because I like having fun and I like it with my dad because he buys lots of things."

Mr Stacey, a motor enthusiast who also owns a number of cars and bikes, bought his latest acquisition from a seller in Manchester after spotting an advert in a military magazine.

He says there is nothing unusual about his hobby: "I've always had toys since a child and I've never grown out of them.

"It's just the fact that they get more expensive and a lot bigger."

The tank, which can be driven legally, is temporarily off the road until it is registered and taxed.