A Scotsman’s search for his daughter’s dearly missed car, which led him to the island, ended just in time for the vehicle to be a surprise guest at her wedding.

Roy Henderson, from Dundee, thanked Isle of Man Newspapers for successfully helping him to recover his daughter’s first ever car in time for her big day.

’Benson’ the Volkswagen Beetle was sold by his daughter Paige around six years ago while she was a student. Hoping to reunite the two - even just for one day - Mr Henderson tracked the vehicle to the Isle of Man before reaching a dead end.

He contacted us to see if we could publish an article about his search, the online version of which was spotted online by a previous owner.

’I initially got a text from a guy who had owned the car,’ Mr Henderson said.

’His wife had randomly seen the article online. His text read: "I may have something you are looking for".

’I spoke to him then he told me he had sold it on - I had heard that so many times - but the guy he sold it to still had it.’

Mr Henderson got in touch with the current owner, Joe Ellerington from Wirral near Liverpool.

’At the end of the conversation, he simply said: "It’s not for sale but let’s make sure Benson (now called Pedro) is there at the wedding",’ he said.

Mr Ellerington left his home at 4am on the wedding day to reach the venue at Craigsanquhar Hotel in Fife, Scotland. The Wirral man had cleaned the car and fitted ribbons ahead of the surprise unveiling.

’Paige was gobsmacked,’ Mr Henderson said. ’My son phoned Joe, who was hiding out of sight, just after the ceremony as Paige and her husband David Lynn started to get pictures taken.

’Joe then drove Benson up the long hotel driveway, and the unmistakable noise of a VW Beetle could be heard in the distance.

’She turned around with very wide open eyes and couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She was very emotional, but happy.

’She just couldn’t believe it and this made the day even more special. Her wish was to have our dog Oskar and wished Benson could be there too. They both were.

’A few family members recognised the car but couldn’t believe it.’

He added: ’The story went well at my speech, and it was only then that a lot of the guests understood the full picture. As we had spent a lot of time fixing the car together, it was extremely sentimental and so worth the long search.’

Benson was driven back that day with Mr Ellerington arriving back home to his wife and baby daughter at 1am.

’It was such an amazing thing for Joe to do and I really couldn’t thank him enough,’ said Mr Henderson.

’He was a true gentleman.’

Although Mr Henderson couldn’t buy the car for Paige, he had gained a new friend as both he and Mr Ellerington are said to be looking at possible work projects together.