A RETIRING model ship-builder today revealed that his decision to sell a lifetime's work left him in tears.

Peter Coughlin is today selling 15 of his model ships, as well as drawings, books, and tools at an auction in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

For the last 35 years, the 67-year-old has spent every spare minute building exquisite models which have won him fans across the world.

Peter, of Lynwood Avenue, Darwen, is revered in the model ship-building world and each model is likely to fetch thousands of pounds.

His miniature masterpieces of great ships, such as Captain Cook's HMS Endeavour, have appeared on the Antiques Roadshow, represented the real thing in a feature film and even won the attention of the Australian High Commissioner for Canada.

For more than 30 years, he rose at 4am to build his ships and, after returning from work, toiled into the night on the models which were kept in his spare bedroom.

Yet, Peter has decided to bring his unique hobby to an end and will instead take up watercolour painting -- of ships of course!

And he hopes the sale of the ships will give him a nice nest-egg for retirement.

Peter said: "It's been a very hard decision as it's a lifetime's work, although it's not been work it's been a pleasure.

"I did shed a tear when they were taken out. I guess because it's been a part of my life for so long.

"It's just one of those things. I had to get rid of them at one point and rather than it being after I had gone I decided to do it now. I have enjoyed every minute of it."

Peter took up the hobby after his wife, Marie, bought him a model kit of ship for Christmas when he was in his thirties.

But as the rest of his fleet sails into the sunset, he's hanging on to his favourite piece, an award-winning model of the Cutty Sark.