THE photographs on this page were shared with us by Helen French of Lawns.

Her father, George Theodos, was Swindon's senior driving examiner.

He would generally have taken candidates through their paces in vehicles such as Morris Minors, Minis and Hillman Imps.

One day, apparently some time in the mid to late 1960s, was somewhat different.

Mrs French said: "I've had the pictures since my father died in 1970."

She has no further information about the images. Some are stamped on the back with an old Wiltshire Newspapers logo but we can find no clues in our files.

It seems Mr Theodos, seen here wearing white overalls, was called on to test somebody in the art of driving steam traction engines.

Current legislation allows holders of car licenses to drive such vehicles. This suggests either that a special licence was needed in the past, or that the cheery candidate in the photos was taking his car test in the eight-ton steam-powered vehicle.

Perhaps Rewind readers can shed more light on the photos and the story behind them.

More is known about the machine itself, as it survives and has appeared many times on the thriving steam fair circuit.

MF 4008, according to several enthusiasts' websites, is Aveling and Porter Road Roller number 10762. Built in 1923, the machine is nicknamed Ebenezer and some sources say is was first used in London, where its duties included helping to lay the roads around the original Wembley stadium.

It can be seen in action in at least one YouTube video.