A COUNCILLOR is in Australia finding out more about an ocean liner, in which his family returned to England in after a short-lived immigration.

Coun David Glaholm (Ind, Penhill), pictured, was only 10 during the home-bound trip, but remembers being awed by the liner Largs Bay.

"It was such an adventure going on a ship at the age of 10, " said Mr Glaholm who left for Australia again on Thursday. "It is every boy's dream."

He hopes to locate the ship's bell, which he believes may be in Wiltshire. He wants it to be placed in the maritime museum in Fremantle, in Australia.

He has arranged to meet former crew member Terence Picket during his two-week visit.

"I think talking to him will bring back a lot of memories I things that I have forgotten, " he said.

His mother Alice couldn't settle in Australia so the family abandoned plans for a new life.

Mr Glaholm has arranged for his parent's names to appear on a wall in Fremantle, which honours the memories of thousand of immigrants.

Although the family's stay was temporary, Mr Glaholm still managed to gain popularity among fellow youngsters.

"We had a TV installed so I had so many friends you wouldn't believe it, " he said. "The room used to be packed, No one else had a TV."

The family left Sydney Harbour in April 27, 1957 on the liner's final voyage. It broke down in the middle of the Indian Ocean on June 1, so passengers got off in South Africa. The Glaholms resumed their journey from Cape Town on a ship called the Arcadia.

Mr Glaholm's mother kept a diary of her return home. One of her entries describes ship's breakdown.

"We had a shock when we got up this morning - the boat was stopped and had been for hours, " she wrote in her diary.

"Black smoke was pouring from the chimney and everyone was filthy. We were like a cork bobbling on the sea. For a while there wasn't any power."

Mr Glaholm says he doesn't regret his parents' decision to return.

"If we had settled in Australia, I wouldn't be blessed with my wife Flo who stands by me and my lovely family, " he said.

Anyone with information about the Largs Bay bell can telephone 01793 524440.