Boat-builder David's new life

Despite living in land-locked Staffordshire, the 66-year-old has been dreaming of a life on the ocean wave.

But it hasn't been plain sailing – Mr Crab has spent around £45,000 plus plenty of time and effort. Now his dream is about to be realised and he is to swap his Hednesford home for the Mediterranean. His bungalow in High Mount Street has been bought by developers Welcome Homes.

Mr Crab is moving to Granada Province in Spain in just six days time.

He has bought a house there and plans to finish construction of the vessel in Spain before sailing it across the Atlantic to the Caribbean.

His bungalow will be demolished to make way for an access road leading to a 22-home development.

Welcome Homes is paying to have Mr Crab's sailing boat transported to his new home in Spain.

Mr Crab, whose wife Audrey died of cancer more than ten years ago, has dreamed of sailing the ocean for years but knew living so far from the sea would make the hobby an expensive burden.

So instead of forking out the estimated £80,000 for a new boat, he has spend approximately £45,000 over the last eight years in what he said was a "labour of love."

Mr Crab has yet to decide on a name for the boat, which he is hoping will undergo sea trials by the end of this year.

He said it was "full speed ahead" as he plans to marry his new partner, Alex from Leicester, on Friday, before moving to Spain.

Mr Crab, who ran his own business before retiring, said he was having mixed feelings about leaving behind his son and daughter.

He said: "I have always loved sailing and I have raced smaller sailing boats and dinghies but I've never done an ocean voyage before.

"It has taken me a lot of time and effort, and I couldn't say how many hours I have spent but it has been a labour of love and when it's finished I will have the boat that I want."