15 February 2007: Don't tell the wife

Guys, you know how it is - you buy yourself something that you know your wife would never approve of, so you try to keep it quiet.

That was a real challenge for Bob Nabney, from Bournemouth in Dorset, who went to an auction and bought himself a 1943 Austin K4 fire engine, complete with 60ft turntable ladder.

The 64-year-old taxi driver was doing OK until a journalist called his home and left an answerphone message inquiring about his plans for the vehicle.

Mr Nabney said he bought the engine on a whim as a retirement present for himself, and hoped his wife would not notice.

His wife's thoughts on the matter were not reported.