Pub is a match made in Swindon

A customer loves his local so much he has made a replica from matchsticks and presented it to the licensee.

It took Colin Woodward nearly a year and a countless number of matches to build the model of Arkell's pub the Baker's Arms in Swindon

Licensee Kay Gould said she is thrilled with the result.

"It's amazing and absolutely accurate in every detail. In fact, I had to go around the back of the pub to make sure he got that right because in all my 15 years behind the bar, I've not had the need to go out of the back very often."

Colin, who took up modeling four years ago when an accident left him unable to work, said: "I really enjoy it and when I'm on a big project, it almost takes over my daylight hours.

"I expect the number of matches used is in the tens of thousands, but I'm too interested in getting the design right to start counting how many I use," he said.

George Arkell, director at Arkell's Brewery which owns 106 pubs in the South West, said he was stunned at Colin's achievement.

"It looks fantastic, and a tribute to Colin's commitment and creativity," he said.