FOUR, bright red tractors were ‘taken for a spin’ on March 31, by the four grandchildren of the man who rebuilt them.

Over the last few years, Colin Heard from Lutson Farm, Sutcombe, has stripped down and rebuilt the four, International B275 tractors from the early 1960s.

It isn’t very often they are able to get all the grandchildren together but since it was the Easter holidays they all visited their grandparents, Colin and Diana Heard’s farm to see the rebuilt tractors.

Colin said: “They’ve been bought at various stages in the last ten years with the thought in my mind of doing this project for the grandchildren.”

The tractors were purchased in various stages of repair, some non runners and some needing engine rebuilds.

Colin was able to source a lot of spares and parts required by Pro-agri of Holsoworthy.

His love of tractors, in particular the International tractors, dates back many years.

“I left school at 15 and my father bought an International to be used on the farm and ever since that I’ve been quite passionate with the make. I’ve used them for competition ploughing as well and I’ve grown up with them mechanically.”

Colin used to farm at Vaglefield Farm near Holsworthy Beacon before moving out to Lutson Farm around 19 years ago.

While one of the couple’s sons, Christopher, still farms at Vaglefield Farm, their other son, David lives near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.

So it’s not often that the couple have all the grandsons — George, Oliver, Samuel and Louis — together at the same time.

This time was even more special, with the boys seeing the results of their grandad’s hard work.

Colin said: “The boys have been given one each, hopefully to remember their grandparents by.”