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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alice Suffield & Matt Gibson

Man creates amazing 25ft Blackpool Tower replica in his Airbnb back garden

A property with a replica Blackpool Tower on its roof has been listed on Airbnb.

The 25ft replica sits atop Tower Annex View in the Lancashire village of Hambleton. It sleeps four people and even has a pool where guests can relax in the shadow of a scaled-down version of the beloved seaside landmark.

The replica tower was originally put together by a group of apprentices during the Second World War but had fallen into disrepair after decades of travelling across the country. It was rescued by Doug Smith who set to work restoring the unique attraction and it now takes pride of place in his back garden.

The 25ft Blackpool Tower replica is lit up in Doug Smith's back garden (Doug Smith/ Air B&B)

Speaking to Lancs Live, he said: "The tower was built during the Second World War by the apprentices of Vickers Armstrong who built the Wellington bomber at Blackpool. So apprentices built it, presumably learning how to weld and things like that.

"It's definitely a replica of Blackpool Tower. Then after the war, the tourist department took it on, and when they did big trade shows around the country, they took it with them.

"Then the 1970s, apparently they did a holiday trade show in Cornwall and for some reason they left it there and it ended up on a scrap heap down in Cornwall. Then some years later made its way to Birmingham and then after that it went to Preston and that's where I found it.

"It wasn't in a good state but I had it renovated and everything. Now it's a good talking point in Hambleton. When there's special events, like the Jubilee, we have lights that we can light it up with, just like the actual tower."

Tower View Annex is described on Airbnb as "a modern spacious self contained annex with its own private entrance joined to the family house". It sleeps 2 plus 2 (one double bed in a good size bedroom) and a settee (situated in the large lounge) that folds out into a double bed.

Tower Annex is also home to O'Smithers, an Irish-themed pub which has been crowned the UK's best shed pub on two occasions.

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