ARTIST Peter Coughlin has set sail for fame and fortune after his masterpieces appeared on a television documentary series.

Peter, of Lynwood Avenue, Darwen, built model ships for 20 years and was snapped up by a British film company to show off his favourites on Channel 4's new three-part series 'Pirates' on Sundays at 6pm.

Peter's ships were filmed to represent the real thing for the series, about 16th and 17th century legalised pirates, who plundered foreign vessels under royal licence.

A keen historian, Peter embarked on his voyage 12 months ago but he was sworn to secrecy by until the programme was shown.

Also a member of the North West Model Shipwrights Club, he was whisked off to the filming studios in Old Kent Road, London, where he displayed his treasured 18th century East India model. It can take takes years for Peter to build a from scratch after months of research.

His proud collection also includes a miniature Titanic that has been on display in Darwen Library, a three-foot model of the Cutty Sark which won the Humbrol award at the Model Boat Rally 2000 and his favourite HMS Endeavour.

He said: "I was shocked on Sunday when I turned the television on and there were my ships.

"The film company told me they'd let me know when they would be putting it on but I've changed my number since then.

"I was gobsmacked when I saw all the lights and curtains and everything in the studio and there was a big, blue screen on the back of the wall.

"I've never done anything like this before. It was a wonderful experience for me.

"I looked at the scene through the camera and it looked just like a real ship, not a model that I had made."

Peter is due to exhibit his collection at Samlesbury Hall from Monday, August 27 to Sunday, September 2.