Classic van to make a comeback with electric twist

A classic van dubbed a "British icon" is set to make a comeback with production set to start on a new all-electric version.

The Morris J-Type in various forms was a popular feature on the roads more than 60 years ago, and a company near Evesham has secured a grant after updating the original design.

It retains classic features from the original J-Type such as the pear-shaped grille, while the new aluminium chassis and carbon-fibre body will be made partly from recycled materials.

Morris Commercial, the firm behind the reimagining of the vehicle, hopes to start production next year.

Two prototypes have been produced, which have been used to travel the UK on the BBC’s Road to Recovery series.

So far, the Hinton-on-the-Green-based manufacturer has received thousands of pre-orders for the vehicle, it said.

The project is going ahead after a £11,000 boost from the Wychavon Rural Fund.

Councillor Richard Morris, of Wychavon District Council, said: "I hope in the near future we will see high streets across the UK once again filled with this iconic van and it will be a source of pride to know that it was an idea born and developed in Wychavon."