A SWEDISH businessman is set to fulfil a boyhood dream thanks to a Rossendale company.

Select Military Vehicle Sales, which is owned by family-run property developers B&E Boys, based in Waterfoot, has sold a Russian T122 tank to Ulrik Jung, a collector from south west Sweden.

The tank, which once belonged to the Egyptian Army, will be added to enthusiast Ulrik’s private collection, which already boasts ten other military vehicles, stored at his home 40 miles south of Gothenburg.

Ulrik, who has been interested in military vehicles from an early age, said: “When I was a little boy I read all the war books and was very impressed by tanks.

“I even made a bet with my father that one day I would buy one.

"We wrote the bet on a piece of paper and he laughed.

“When my parents were killed in a car crash years later I found the note.

"And here I am - some dreams you have to fulfil.”

Ulrik found the T122 tank for sale on the Select Military Vehicle Sales company website.

He added: “Buying tanks is a very big project, from finding them to shipping them, but thanks to Peter and Brian Boys it is possible and they deserve a big thank you for making my dream come true - and for putting up with my poor English.”

B&E Boys is a long-established family business, with a portfolio of commercial, industrial and residential property developments for lease or sale across the North West.

In addition to new build, the company also specialises in the refurbishment markets.

Peter Boys, one of the directors, said: “The T122 has been standing guard for some time at the entrance to one of our development sites, Waters Meeting, in Bolton.

“It was built in the 1960s and we believe it is the only one in the UK.

"It’s quite a talking point for visitors.

"We will be sad to see it go, but as it is fulfilling Ulrik’s dream it’s especially rewarding.”