Peterborough DIY-fanatic builds supersized versions of everyday items

Steve Wainwright, 62, creates huge sculptures of things that would ordinarily fit in the palm of his hand out of wood, metal and plastic.

The former electrician's projects can take anywhere between three days to two weeks to complete out of his handy workshop at the bottom of his garden.

Steve, from Stanground, has been dubbed "Mr Big Stuff" and has now made 20 installations including a 1.5m tall Staedtler pencil and 1m tall cassette tape.

The retiree said: "I took on the role of a house husband as I retired before my wife.

"You can only cook and clean for so many hours so I decided I wanted to build something. I didn't want to be bored in the house.

"I had a tape measure in my hand when I saw an electrical plug and I thought I could build that bigger.

"I settled on ten times the size as it's easy maths but sometimes I do use a bit of artistic licence.

"Anything that will fit in the palm of my hand, I will give it a go - lipstick, screws, pencil sharpeners."

Steve, who worked with the ambulance service for ten years, describes himself as a "maker of things".

He began creating in his garage but soon moved into a £4k workshop which he also built himself.

His sculptures have caught the eye of those passing his home and has exhibited the huge items for charities.

Steve said: "From the male point of view, they'll say 'This is amazing!'.

"But from the female perspective, they usually ask where I could possibly keep everything.

"I've been asked to support charities and the blind find they can identify the items by touch, especially with the original, smaller version alongside it.

"The public love the pencils."

Steve has made a table-sized, retractable tape measure which took him two weeks to build - while his pencil sharpener took three days.

He has even sculpted giant keys - one shed and one Yale - and said he'd love to take them into Timpson.

Steve estimated he had spent around £2.5k on the materials but added: "It was never about the money. The joy of it would fade.

"People don't appreciate the skills they have and look over just how capable they can be."