IRISH-BORN Barry McNulty is ready to set sail for his retirement in a boat he has built from scratch.

The 62-year-old has constructed a 40ft vessel at his home in Burnley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, as a hobby over the past seven years and is now ready to sail away to enjoy his twilight years in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.

Waiting for him on the other side of the Irish Sea is a four-bedroom bungalow he has also built himself.

Barry's retirement comes after 10 years managing Glen Living, a home for adults with learning difficulties in Church Street, Accrington.

He also worked for several years in the haulage industry, aircraft manufacture and running a holiday business and is now ready to put it his feet up with a good pint of Guinness.

Barry said: "The best thing about it will be the last coat of paint. I am really proud but they say people who try to build their own boats are daft and they're right!

"Sometimes I wished I had never started, but it has been fun. I want to sail all round the Scottish locks and ports, possibly one day to the Mediterranean."