The 84-year-old Bardney man has spent the last 20 years perfecting the art of matchstick modelling.


Step into a shed at his home in Wragby Road and it's filled with scale models of the churches at Haltham, Wispington and Waddingworth, as well as the now demolished Bardney Mill.


The inside of each church has even been carefully replicated, with pews made from wooden sticks, paintwork and working lights.


"I used to make dolls houses but I could only do them during the day," said Mr Blow.


"Then I took up matchstick work when I retired 20 years ago so I could do it at night."


Mr Blow, who had previously worked as a mechanic with Chandlers in Horncastle, started off by making a gypsy caravan.


He went onto create a fire engine and Bardney Mill before moving onto churches – the first being Southrey.


Mr Blow starts his model by visiting the church to make a rough sketch and to take measurements.


From here, he creates the base and builds the frame before painstakingly sticking each match on.


When the inside of the church has been completed, the outside of the church is then secured down.


So far, Mr Blow has used around 100,000 matchsticks.


However, in November 2006, he fell off a ladder and broke his back, meaning he now needs assistance with any lifting work that needs to be done.


Mr Blow is now working on replicating the churches at Bardney and Dunston.


* Do you have an interesting hobby? Call the Horncastle News on 01507 526868.