The world's oldest working steam roller has been restored to full operation.

Built in 1882, the Aveling & Porter steam roller No 1760 was returned to steam in late September after a half-century hiatus.

This makes it the oldest working steam roller globally and the second oldest in existence.

According to the original build sheet, the roller was sold from the Royal Show held in Reading on July 18, 1882, to the Corporation of Reading.

It served the Reading Corporation until the early 1930s when it was sold to A.E. Ford and Sons, later known as John Allen & Ford.

With this company, it was used in major engineering contracts, including the Maidenhead bypass, Oxford bypass, and M1 construction.

The Friends of 1760, based in Nottinghamshire, are the current owners and were instrumental in repairing the roller’s original wrought iron boiler using modern inspection and repair techniques.

The group was honoured with a National Transport Trust Award at Fawley Hill Museum, presented by Princess Anne.

Though the roller is mechanically complete, a few cosmetic restoration tasks remain to be finished.

The aim is to conserve as much original material as possible and present the roller as it was at the end of its working life.

The Friends of 1760 are keen to gather any historical information about the roller during its early life and are particularly interested in photographs of the roller working in Reading.