A CHARITY has come up with a novel way to promote itself - by going back in time.

The Laura Crane Trust now has a 1971 Morris Minor 1000 van which is sure to grab attention on Huddersfield's roads.

The distinctive deep turquoise van has a fine heritage, starring alongside other Morris Minors in the Lord Mayor's Parade and Show in London in 2002.

Jacquie Roeder, who runs the trust, said she and her husband, Malcolm, had to travel to Devon to buy the car, which the charity will now use.

She said: "We fancied a classic vehicle and when I was younger I had a split-windscreen Morris Minor and then a soft top one.

"I have a soft spot for them and Malcolm searched out one to buy.

"It just happened to be in Devon, so we drove down for the weekend to see it."

Jacquie immediately fell for the van, which is now on Huddersfield's roads being used by the charity to transport its exhibition display boards, raffle prizes and other equipment it needs to take to events.

Fenay Bridge company CV Graphics has given the van a new look to promote the trust and charged nothing for the artwork, which includes the trust's logo, name and contact details.

"It will be a useful marketing tool and publicise the trust wherever it goes," said Jacquie.

"It was quite a shock when I first drove it. It really was like stepping back in time. You realise just how much modern cars have moved on.

"It's incredibly noisy and the seats leave a lot to be desired by way of comfort. But I love it."

Jacquie's daughter, Laura Crane, died aged 17 in 1996 from a complex mix of four types of cancer.

At first the charity aimed to raise £10,000 a year. But it has now raised more than £750,000 and hopes to pass the £1m mark by next April.

The money is invested on research into cancers affecting young people and buying recreational equipment, such as TVs, for wards at the 22 hospitals in the UK which treat teenage cancer patients.

The charity needs a garage in Lindley or Edgerton where the car can be kept and Jacquie has appealed for anyone who can provide one to phone her on 01484 510013.