IPSWICH Transport Museum has launched a public plea for help in raising funds for a weary-looking 1947 trolleybus which has seen better days.

AN urgent appeal is underway to help restore an old Ipswich icon to its former glory.

The Ipswich Transport Museum has launched a public plea for help in raising funds for a weary-looking 1947 trolleybus which has seen better days.

Museum volunteers are already busy restoring the number 105 but urgently need additional funds to complete the �40,000 project.

Museum chairman Tony King said: “Trolleybuses were at the centre of public transport in Ipswich for more than 40 years until they finished in 1963 and museum volunteers are busy working to restore this magnificent trolleybus from a sad hulk to a fully restored exhibit.”

The museum is not able to fund vehicle restoration and relies on donations.

Museum friends have already donated around �15,000 to the project, but more money is urgently needed.

All donations are welcome to support the fund and just 50p will buy 50 woodscrews - of which the bus requires 3,000.

A �1 donation buys a small piece of the 40 metres of imitation leather needed to trim the interior.

The museum has also launched a seat appeal, for which a donation of �200 buys all the materials needed for one of the buses 28 new wooden seats.

Mr King added: “We do hope the people of Ipswich might want to help us to complete this landmark restoration and show future museum visitors a real Ipswich trolleybus returned to its former glory.”

To find out how to donate to the project visit www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk or call 01473 715666.

The bus currently under restoration is a sister vehicle to trolleybus 126 which is already on show in the museum - but unlike the vehicle already on show had slatted wooden seats rather than upholstery.