THE Joker and the Penguin would love it.

A replica of the legendary 1966 Batmobile is on sale to raise funds for a Bournemouth charity.

The Bournemouth Carnival Band, which owns the car, has put the unique vehicle on sale to the highest bidder.

It is being sold to raise extra cash to help with their running costs as well as donate some of the money to the charity.

Paul Le Sueur, a trombonist with the band, said: “The band is a fun-loving and comedy marching group of music enthusiasts that usually perform dressed as a Spiderman or Batman.

“The band is a registered charity and its main aim is to help anyone with a desire to learn to play musical instruments.

“We are all sad to see it go, but we just can’t afford to keep it anymore.”

The car was originally purchased in 1989 from Elfords where its ‘savvy’ apprentices turned it to a Batmobile - based on the original Lincoln Futura.

Their Batmobile is based on a 1977 Reliant Kitten.

Customised and maintained locally, it has been a big publicity attraction for the band over the years, appearing in several carnivals and shows, with the band dressed in their Batman costumes. It has also appeared in classic car displays and automobile shows.

Band secretary Alan Hooker said: “The Batmobile is very difficult to give up.

“It has been with us since 1989, and is a part of our history.

“The current state of affairs is that we don’t have enough people to run it and not enough money and man-power to maintain it anymore.”

Mr Hooker said any funds raised from the Batmobile’s sale will be used to purchase new band uniform jackets and replace some worn out costumes.

“We will do our best to donate some of the money to local worthy causes that are not nationally recognised,” Mr Hooker added.

Anyone interested in either buying the Batmobile or joining the band should contact Mr Hooker on 07778 497559 or visit the band’s website at bcband.co.uk.

“We are always looking for new members, whether you can play or not; please get in touch,” he said.