A  SIX-foot model boat that took a man more than 20 years to complete will be setting sail for the first time.

The boat, which is a scaled model of a stream trawler called St Nectan, should take around 18 months to complete.

However, Kevern Oliver, from Lower Moor, near Pershore, has been working on it "on and off" for 22 years. 

After a successful test run in a large swimming pool earlier this week, the boat will be further tested in a fish pond before making it to a lake at The Springs Holiday Park in Lower Moor.

Mr Oliver said it had become a bit of a talking point.

He said: "It's something I started to keep busy and relax and I had done model planes before but I did the foolish thing and bought the biggest model I could find. 

"I have stopped and started for years and probably not touched it for ten years but then Covid came along and my wife said why don't you get on with that boat.

"It has a very steep learning curve, not to mention that I have tried to install a real steam engine for the last five years, but I gave up and went for an electric motor instead which was a doddle."

The boat is a 1/32 scale model by Mountfleet Models, weighs over 30kg and is almost six foot long. 

Mr Oliver continued: "All being well the plan is to launch the boat on Sunday, August 25 and if it's an event which brings the village together I will be absolutely thrilled that years of furkling in the garage will have had such a positive effect.

"There is definitely a feel-good factor about finally finishing the project and I'm excited about its maiden voyage. 

"Only my neighbours, relatives and people from the pub really know about the model but it's become a bit of a talking point. 

"My wife asked me what I was going to do next, I said a paddleboat and I can't repeat her reaction."