AN 111-year-old steam car will make its competition debut at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb in Droitwich this July.

The car's owner, Dr Bob Dyke, has led a campaign to overturn a 100 year ruling banning steam cars from competing in motorsport.

Dr Dyke, a steam car expert, painstakingly recreated the vehicle over eight years but due to a century-long ban imposed by motorsport regulators he hasn't been able to compete in racing events.

After many years of lobbying the Motor Sports Association (MSA), Dr Dyke and his colleagues managed to get the ban lifted in September 2015.

He said: "I’ve been writing letters and communicating with the MSA for a while now to try to get permission to compete.

"One of the first answers we received was that we couldn’t race because of the iron wheels on the cars and the coal left on the track – well, we don’t have any iron wheels, and we don’t use any coal.

"The next reason was that they might be too competitive compared to standard petrol cars!"

With the ban overturned, Dr Dyke and his steam car, known as the Whistling Billy, will make their competition debut at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb, in front of 15,000 spectators.

Rod Spollon, event director of the Chateau Impney Hill Climb, said: "It’s an honour to be one of the Whistling Billy’s first competitive venues since the ban has been lifted, and we are very excited to see it in action on the Chateau Impney hill.

"Last year, the Edwardian and Veteran class was one of the most popular amongst spectators and competitors alike, and I have no doubt that Whistling Billy will be one of this year’s most anticipated entries."

The Hill Climb will take place between Saturday, July 9 to Sunday, July 10.

Tickets for 2016’s event are available from chateauimpneyhillclimb.com or by calling 0845 017 0637.