CHILDREN'S favourite old Britannia may not be appearing at this year's Abergavenny Steam Rally as a result of old age and wear and tear.

Henri Collings's 40-ton mighty steamer has always been a highlight at the show with the traditional tug of war between the engine and hundreds of children.

Unfortunately, as Henri was checking the 90-year-old trooper in time for the Bank Holiday event, he noticed cracks in the spokes of one wheel.

"I jacked her up and noticed more cracks," said a sad Henri, "so I had to try and replace the spokes. If they had broken on the road the damage could be unimaginable."

In a race against time the three-ton wheel was winched off the steamer and the cracked spokes removed. As the wheels were made in 1915 the spokes would have been placed in position inside the rim of the wheel.

The central hub would then have been cast in a mould so the whole wheel was joined by the cast.

"What we have to do now is machine out the old spokes, replace them and bolt them back into position. I don't know if Britannia will be ready in time for the steam rally next Sunday.

"It will be the first we have missed since it started more than 20 years ago and I am sure the children will miss her," said Henri who said he'd find another steamer to take their place if necessary.

Henri first saw the old Aveling and Porter road roller wedged in a hedge in the Brecon Beacons. It had been used at the Ebbw Vale steel works to flatten out corrugated iron.

Gradually deteriorating into tons of scrap iron, Henri took pity on the old girl and hauled it back to his home in Govilon and after an 18 month refit she made her debut at the Abergavenny rally.

The charity steam rally takes place in the town's Bailey Park on Sunday 29 and Monday 30 May.