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BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833. <br />
Pic: CorinMesser/BNPS<br />
<br />
Pictured: Philip's collection includes sets like this which illustrate the build process. <br />
<br />
A master modeller who has spent over 70 years building a fleet of 500 warships is having to scuttle his hobby - as he has run out of matchboxes.<br />
<br />
Philip Warren's incredible matchstick navy consists of every class of Royal Navy ship since 1945.<br />
<br />
Mr Warren, who was aged 17 when he first started his hobby, uses nothing but matchsticks, matchboxes, a razor blade and glue to handcraft the vessels. <br />
<br />
The traditional boxes are made out of lightweight aspen wood which manufacturers ceased using in the 1980s in favour of cardboard.

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833.
Pic: CorinMesser/BNPS

Pictured: Philip's collection includes sets like this which illustrate the build process.

A master modeller who has spent over 70 years building a fleet of 500 warships is having to scuttle his hobby - as he has run out of matchboxes.

Philip Warren's incredible matchstick navy consists of every class of Royal Navy ship since 1945.

Mr Warren, who was aged 17 when he first started his hobby, uses nothing but matchsticks, matchboxes, a razor blade and glue to handcraft the vessels.

The traditional boxes are made out of lightweight aspen wood which manufacturers ceased using in the 1980s in favour of cardboard.