FANCY owning that dream fully-furnished thatched roof cottage without spending a fortune?

David Chambers, a retired British Telecom exhibition manager, is the man who can make your dream come true.

The only snag is that they are 1:12 scale models of the real thing.

David, who battled to beat cancer 12 years ago, has found a lifeline at the age of 56 turning his modelling hobby into a "cottage" industry building beautiful cottages and log cabins for an increasing number of customers.

And to celebrate his success, he has donated his first cottage to the Donna's Dream House Charity.

"I used to make model railways so I've always been interested in modelling. About a year ago my wife wanted a model thatched roof cottage but it cost about £1,000 to buy," said David.

As a result, David decided to make one himself.

Friends liked what he did and now, mainly thanks to word of mouth, David has set up his own one-man business painstakingly making models made out of plywood in the garage of his Carleton home.

"I enjoy doing it and, hopefully, that reflects in what I make. I carry the plans in my head and people seem to like what I do. I've certainly got a busy order book.

It takes David 7-10 days to make the models and prices range from £100 upwards depending on size and the number of features involved.

His cottage for charity is on display at Churchills in Topping Street, Blackpool where it will be raffled at a special charity night on Sunday, November 10.