HOURS spent tinkering away in the garage have paid off for one Morris Minor hobbyist.

A trip to the annual Morris Minor Owners Club’s national rally proved successful for Steven Cook (43), after he scooped a number of awards for the work carried out on his vehicle.

“I came back with six prizes, so I kind of swept the board this year I think,” he said, “Five to eight of us go down every year and see if we can try and compete with the cars.

“We are in the customisation and modified section, there are different sections in the whole event.” At the rally, held in Kelmarsh Hall, Northhampton, Steven netted the JLH Trophy, trophy for the top car in customisation and rosettes for best paint job, best engine bay, best engineered car and best interior.

Of his wins he said, “I don’t expect anything. It’s just a good laugh, you go down for the banter. We camped as well, as it’s a four day thing.

“It’s the travelling down as well – it’s like one of those Top Gear runs.” Steven, from Kincardine, first developed an interest in the cars after his mum had one, and his dad had a pick-up version, and has had his own Morris for around 15 years.

It’s a hobby that sometimes requires a lot of dedication.

“The cars that we have got, we take them from standard and bring them up to date with modern brakes, new engines and new interiors,” he said.

“When there’s a show coming up I will spend most nights in the garage, most weekends in the garage, working on it getting it ready.

“The car only does 1200 miles a year. It doesn’t come out in the rain. When it’s a nice day I will take it out for a run, but other than that it stays in the garage.

“It’s just something I have done over the years. You just sort of pick things up as you go along, and you learn from your mates and whoever.”