THEY were the life and soul of the bustling London streets and an iconic symbol of the city's great past - a delight for locals and tourists alike.

Sadly, the classic red Routemaster bus no longer graces the capital's roads. But don't be surprised if you catch a glimpse of one of the old double-deckers trundling around Bury this spring.

For London bus enthusiast and Tottington High School teacher Kelvin Platt has spent almost £10,000 bringing three of the models north of Watford Gap and is set to put one on show later this month.

Mr Platt (43), from Swinton, has had a long love of London buses, which started when he was a teenager. Then in 1997, he got the chance of a lifetime and began working as a part-time conductor in the capital.

"I was working at the school on weekdays and then I would set off very early on Saturday mornings to make sure I arrived in time for my shift there. I worked Sundays as well and then travelled back up north afterwards. It was very challenging and demanding," said Kelvin.

He added: "But for the eight years that I did it, I enjoyed every minute. The buses have their distinctive hop on, hop off' rears and I would always enjoy a laugh and a joke with the passengers. Spirits were always high and everyone loved travelling on the buses."

When the old buses were withdrawn in 2005, it was the end of an era for the city - and for Kelvin, who, on April 1, 2005, became the last conductor to ride a Routemaster on the popular Battersea Garages to Finsbury Park Number 19 route, via Piccadilly Circus and Chelsea.

Kelvin said: "It was a day of mixed emotions. The buses had been running since 1956 and people wanted them to stay on the roads. They couldn't last for ever though.

"A lot of people will agree with me that you just don't get the same feel on the new buses. They have no character and people just get on, pay, sit down and keep themselves to themselves."

When the Routemasters were taken off the road, the transport authority had to find something to do with them. Kelvin was only too willing to give one a home.

He paid £2,000 for a ballot entry, which assured him of getting one of 30 old buses. He ended up with a model with a Number 12 that had travelled round Oxford Circus and Dulwich for 32 years.

Kelvin has since paid more than £6,000 for two more Routemasters that are stored in South Manchester. Kelvin said he is looking forward to getting back out on the road in the next few weeks. "I still take the buses out occasionally and you always get people turning their heads in bemusement wondering why a London bus is in Bury, but it brings a smile," he said.

Not only will one of the buses be used in a series of city tours in Manchester centre this summer, Kelvin will also be displaying a double-decker at Tottington High School's vintage extravaganza on Sunday April 27.

From 10am until 4pm, there will be an impressive exhibition of vintage cars, fire engines, buses, and military vehicles, including a 1936 Railton 11 Drophead, which owner Alan Clayton spent four-and-a-half years restoring.

Another star attraction at the event will be a 35ft Mortier dance organ. Other activities will include fairground rides, arcade games, a craft fair, paintballing, sumo wrestling, musical entertainment, a barbecue, a licensed bar and a giant slide.

Admission will cost £2 for adults, with £1 concessions. A portion of the proceeds will go to Bury sports charity Jigsaw, which was chosen by the school's student council.