AN army of tanks owned by Stacksteads businessman Brian Boys, could be starring in the next drama by Steven Spielberg.

The bizarre link follows a lunch between the top director and Prime Minister Tony Blair, when Mr Spielberg was discussing his Oscar winning film 'Saving Private Ryan.'

He told the Premier it cost him £3million to hire the tanks from Europe for the production and his next venture, a series of 12 one-hour programmes on Normandy to Berlin, needs similar vehicles. Mr Blair contacted Tourism and Culture MP Janet Anderson, to see if there was anyone in Britain who could supply the vehicles and she suggested Brian Boys.

Brian, managing director of family firm B and E Boys, has been collecting military vehicles for 15 years and now owns 50 tanks, armoured cars, motorbikes and vintage fire engines, which he stores at the company's various sites throughout Rossendale.

He said: "I have sent off a list of all the vehicles I have in stock and I am just waiting for a reply. If it comes off, this will be wonderful for Rossendale and Stacksteads in particular.

"When I bought my first military vehicle, the man I bought it from said it was a drug. It's so bad I gave up drinking five years ago just so I could feed my habit!"

His company is currently completing work on the former senior citizen's building in Rawtenstall, next to the magistrates court, which is being developed as offices and a conference facility for 200 people.

The £500,000 conversion will be officially opened by Mrs Anderson and the Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Alan Neal, on January 7. Brian has also unveiled the company's millennium plan - to develop disused Hurdles Quarry in Waterfoot, into an adventure playground for people aged two to 80.

He said: "I want people to come into the Valley to use the conference facilities, but also to use the quarry for corporate days, when there is a variety of activities organised.

"I am looking at having all-terrain vehicles, rock climbing, paint ball, archery, quad biking and lots more. This is my field of dreams and I am sure it will bring a lot of people to Rossendale.

"I am also hoping to link in with the East Lancashire Railway so people can come off the train and go to the quarry."

Plans for the £250,000 project are being prepared and, if it gets the green light, Brian said he hoped it could be up-and-running in the spring. He also hopes next year to open a museum in one of his business units to display the vehicles and military uniforms.

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