WORK is proceeding well on the full-size working Murdoch Flyer, with 2004 promising to be a very exciting year for the project.

Plans are being drawn up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Murdoch's birth. It will also be the 220th anniversary of his first miniature steam locomotive.

The replica of the Flyer will be a tribute to the work of Redruth's famous inventor, whose life is already celebrated in the town each year on Murdoch Day.

John Baughan chairman of the Murdoch Flyer project, said 2003 had been a good year, not least with a visit from a direct descendent of William Murdoch.

"Peter Glass was most impressed with the progress made on the Flyer, and indeed was fascinated by the workshop demonstration," he said.

Murdoch Day was also a huge success, with record crowds in Redruth. But work for those behind the Flyer did not stop and they were represented at numerous steam fairs during the year.

The aim of the Murdoch Flyer project is to create community pride and help to place Redruth on the tourist map through the Murdoch Flyer steam carriage replica. During the 1790's, Murdoch constructed a large steam carriage at the Tuckingmill Brass Foundry, near Redruth, but there are no drawings or other records of it. He was believed to have built several models of the carriage, but was discouraged by his employers. Instead, he turned his mind to other ideas and, in 1792, invented gas lighting.

The group behind the flyer want to promote his life and work and publicise his home, Murdoch House, in Cross Street, Redruth.

They also want to promote Kerrier district's mining heritage and its role as the birthplace of road and rail transport.