Man builds pirate ship in Felixstowe back garden

Tim Jones used discarded wood to build the pirate ship in his garden

A man has built a pirate ship in the back garden of his home in Suffolk.

Tim Jones, 47, spent about six months erecting the captain's cabin, deck and 25ft (7m) mast in Felixstowe. The ship takes up about half of his garden.

He cut down some of his trees to build features such as a cannon, and has added finishing touches including a toy parrot and a pirate flag.

"Everyone loves it," he said. "I'd love to make it bigger but I really don't have the room."

Mr Jones said the idea for the pirate ship came from his themed birthday parties, which previously focused on Mexico, the 1940s and a Medieval banquet.

About eight people can sit in the captain's cabin, with space for a further six on the deck

Tim Jones said the pirate ship had been a hit with his friends, both young and old

Mr Jones has climbed to the top of the mast, which can be seen from the road

He started to build the ship for a pirate party and slowly added to it. It is now about 25ft (7.62m) long, and 15ft (4.57m) wide.

"It took me about six months to build," he said. "I spent every free hour I had and weekends building it."

Mr Jones, who works as a caretaker for the adjacent Felixstowe Academy, said the ship had become well known by pupils at the school.

"You can see it from the road, there's a big flag flying and the mast - it's quite a sight," he said.

"They walk past it every day and you can hear them laughing and joking."

Tim Jones said he would love to build a bigger pirate ship elsewhere

Much of the ship has been built using discarded wood from the school.

Mr Jones said he had loved pirates since he was a child and now enjoyed having friends over to sit round the chiminea and listen to shanties.

It has also proven popular with children of his friends.

"They all enjoy running around it," he said. "But I think I'm the biggest kid of all."