THEY say good things come to those who wait.

And Fred Baker, from Almeley, knows that better than most after finally being reunited with his restored Morris 1000 pick-up after an eight year restoration project.

Mr Baker bought the vehicle, which was then a van, from Eardisland on March 21 1986 after spotting an advert in the newspaper.

When the back end of the van started to fail eight years ago he took it to Taylor and Bushnell body repair specialists on Rockfield Road and asked for it to be restored – but as a pick-up.

"I said to John Bushnell about it and he came and looked at it and I asked if he could do it," said Mr Baker.

"I said to him 'no need to rush John, do it at your own leisure'. I took it in on a trailer one Saturday morning and it went from there."

As a busy crash repair shop, quiet time was rare and over the years Mr Baker would source various parts and take them in to be added to the vehicle.

It has been fitted with original features including a steering wheel and canopy.

Over the last few weeks the repairs were finally completed and the Morris 1000 passed its MOT.

"John rang me [to tell me it was done] and I had been down there about one week before and he'd said 'it won't be long now Fred, it won't be long'," said Mr Baker.

"I'm really pleased with it – especially the condition it's in. I didn't expect it to be as good as this. It's quite rare."

Mr Baker, who worked for Burgoynes Marquees for more than 40 years, said he plans to take the restored pick-up to shows around the county, including Kington show and Dilwyn show.

Its estimated value is now somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000 – but he has no plans to sell it.

John Bushnell, of Taylor and Bushnell, added: "It has been several years since this classic car has been seen on the country lanes of Hereford and now it will be seen for many more – a rare sight for many youngsters who will have never seen a Morris 1000 pick up before.

"It was a momentous day when Fred collected his fully restored car."