traffic wardens do a 'double take' when they see what is claimed to be the only open-topped, double-decker Mini minibus in the world.

Zany inventor Tony Anchors, 49, of Drake Avenue, Didcot, said: "I think they run a mile when they see me in a bus lane. I have never been stopped by police or traffic wardens."

And so far as the law is concerned, Mr Anchors' latest Mini creation is properly taxed, insured for non-fare paying passengers and has an MoT certificate.

"It took me about a week to build, it is fitted with seat belts and complies with EC safety regulations," said engineer Mr Anchors, who prefers to call himself a "bodgerologist".

The Mini was adapted with a box section steel frame, clad with timber boarding in a style loosely based on an old trolley bus. It even includes back stairs to the top deck.

'The Wasp' - so called after Mr Anchors' nickname, Waspy - is the latest in a growing line of Minis he has customised for fun.

"It is something to do - I can't stand sitting in front of the telly," he said. "And it brings a smile on people's faces when they see my Minis."

Indeed it does - starting six years ago when Mr Anchors unveiled his two-seater Mini Noddy car.

The following year there was Flower Power - a Mini modified with garden gates, window boxes with real flowers, a fish pond and fountain.

The Minnisippi(OK) paddle steamer followed, although sadly it ended up at the bottom of a lake at the NEC in Birmingham.

Each new Mini he adapts appears roughly about one year on, and last year it was the Mini garage - a Mini modified with its own built-on fold-up garage.

Father-of-four Mr Anchors, who has a long-suffering wife Sharon, said he works on the cars mostly as a hobby.

Although if he is lucky there can be some modest sponsorship, including West Oxfordshire Motor Auctions, which helped pay for the materials for the Mini minibus.

And next year? He already has some ideas up his sleeve to mark the Millennium although they remain a secret for the time being.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.