A roofer, who has a collection of 57 vintage bumper cars, is hoping to take his latest investment to car shows across the county next year.

Peter Ward often leaves bystanders bemused when they see him driving down the street at the wheel of a dodgem.

And now the 55-year-old, who also has a Dalek and a Postman Pat van, has added six children’s Formula One bumper cars to his fleet.

Mr Ward, of Salmon Crescent, Minster, is in the middle of constructing a track for the rides which, when complete, he plans to use at car shows across Kent.

He said: “I love seeing the look on people’s faces when they see me driving along in a bumper car.

“I often take them down to Minster Leas and drive along the seafront and people stop and ask me how they work and if they can have a go.

VIDEO: The bumper cars have made their mark on Sheppey.

“It just makes their day and it makes it all worthwhile for me.

“But you have got to be safe when there are crowds of people about so that’s why I decided to build a track for the children’s cars.

“This was the next stage for me.”

The children’s cars operate on a remote control system, meaning Mr Ward will be in full control of turning them on and off.

“I have introduced these little beauties to the fleet to join the other 57 bumper cars I’ve got, so not only the adults can have fun but the children can as well,” the dad-of-two said.

He has also bought all of the lighting from a Ferris wheel in Oxford, which he is now using to decorate the track.

Mr Ward, who started his collection in 2013 for “a bit of fun and something different”, said he could not bring himself to part with any of his cars.

“I haven’t finished having fun with them yet,” he said.

“I’m basically bringing these vintage cars back to life. I get them, clean them up, and seeing them roll out of the garage with the lights on and with a bit of a shine and a polish – it’s a bit like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when the car comes flying out of the garage, that’s how it feels.”

Sixteen of Mr Ward’s rides have been given electronic motors and he said he will not stop until they have all had the same treatment.

When complete, the cars can go around 4mph and do 16 miles on one charge.

They also stop as soon as the driver’s foot is removed from the pedal.

Mr Ward said: “It really is like being married to a funfair – my wife Mel could tell you that.

“But it doesn’t get boring and every day is a new challenge.

“People think I am barking mad but think about this.

“If someone had an old Ford Escort sitting in their garage a few years back, people would have told the owner to get rid of it because it was garbage.

“But, today, everyone wants to buy that old Ford Escort and would pay thousands of pounds for it.

“My cars date back to the 1960s and ‘70s and, in time, they will be collectables.

“The prices are rising on them now.”

Mr Ward’s exploits have also made him a YouTube star with the 51 videos on his channel documenting his antics each clocking up hundreds of views from 22 different countries.

His fleet has featured on Channel 4 prime-time programme Posh Pawn as well as the BBC coverage of the reopening of Dreamland in Margate last summer.

Mr Ward sources the dodgems mainly through fairgrounds and various websites, although he now receives lots of calls from sellers after building a name for himself in the world of amusements memorabilia.

His ‘star of the fleet’ is his blue bumper car which is capable of reaching speeds of up to 30mph.

It also comes with a CD player, stereo and Bluetooth.