The team of dedicated mechanics who repair and restore the exhibits at Coventry Transport Museum have received a major boost with the donation of high-quality metal-working equipment worth £35,000 by Rugby-based Baileigh Industrial Ltd (www.baileighindustrial.co.uk), which designs and manufactures industrial metal-working and wood-working machinery.

The machines donated include a lathe, milling machine, pillar drill, band saw and metal press; the museum will now up-skill its two full-time technicians and 15 volunteers to operate the equipment.

The museum’s creative director, Francis Ranford, said: “A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that our collections are looked after and maintained.

"Some of that work is undertaken in our own workshop and kindly supported by our collections care technicians. Thanks to this generous donation from Baileigh, we will be able to do much more of that work in-house. We are extremely grateful for its support.”

Baileigh Industrial’s managing director, Chad Spaeth, said: “I came to the UK almost 15 years ago with Baileigh Industrial and established our European hub in Coventry.

"It was immediately apparent what a strong impact the motor transport industry has — not only on Coventry, but also on Europe and the rest of the world.

"The company is very proud to assist in the preservation of heritage, which is fantastically displayed at Coventry Transport Museum for now and for generations to come.”