STAYCATIONS are big news this summer – so what better time for a nostalgic trip back in time to the seaside.

There’s a real fairground attraction at the Lakeland Motor Museum in the shape of a 1930’s dodgem car.

For many years it brought joy to holidaymakers at the New Brighton Fairground, across the River Mersey from Liverpool.

Designed to look like an early MG race car, a large fleet of these little cars were used on a concrete racetrack there and also on a wooden track at the resort of Southport (where these wonderful black and white holiday snaps were taken).

Before the well-known, electric powered “bumper cars” came into popularity these sturdy, well built cars were being driven around the tracks at a top speed of just five mph.

But bumping into things was not encouraged.

Attendants would keep a close eye on drivers and stand on the running board mounted brake to bring the car to a stop if you were misbehaving or your time was up.

The Lakeland Motor Museum bought this example in 1990 and as you can see from the pictures it was in a pretty sorry state.

It was one of three examples saved from a farm building where they had been stored after being taken out of use in the 1960s.

After careful restoration it has become a popular exhibit at the Backbarrow attraction – sparking many memories of seaside holidays.

In its day it was powered by a Stuart Turner marine-type single cylinder engine often used in pleasure boats.

The little cars were very popular among the crowds of visitors who flocked to New Brighton and Southport from Liverpool and Lancashire’s industrial towns.

At New Brighton there was a tower, a ballroom, a pier and an outdoor swimming pool.

But no trip to the seaside was complete without a ride around the racetrack on the colourful little cars which were a real fairground attraction.

The Lakeland Motor Museum boasts a unique collection of 30,000 exhibits.

This includes 140 classic cars and motorbikes, all carefully assembled over 50 years.

Nestled in the scenic Leven Valley and open seven days a week, the Museum isn’t just about cars.

The entire collection is presented in a social context, with a host of rarities to awaken some special motoring memories.

You can even combine your visit to the museum with a joint ticket with Windermere Lake Cruises and Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.