A man who made himself a DIY cut-price coffin for just £10 has now built his own Romany caravan.. from old rubbish.

Albert Beaumont has often been told he is living in the past, but for him it's not a problem - its his inspiration.

The retired bricklayer and mason from Taylor Street, Westgate, Cleckheaton, has just built the caravan from recycled materials for £250 which, he says, is fully functional and habitable.

"I've always wanted a Romany-type van and this is just that," said Albert, 64, who has been collecting materials for the van for the last two years.

"I found the trailer chassis in a scrapyard. The caravan has got stained-glass windows, a fireplace made out of an old barbecue and hot water tank and vintage bus seats.

"The seats are 30 or 40 years old and are from a Leyland Tiger bus and the Mollycroft roof is made of a Land Rover Safari window - it gives it a bit of extra height and is lovely when the sun shines in!"

Two cut-out pop bottles serve as small lampshades and a Beaumont coat of arms hangs above the door inside.

Albert's proud of the fact that he did not use any measurements.

"I'm pleased with the way it's turned out because I haven't really measured anything - if it looks right it is right to me," said Albert.

"My doctor says I'm stuck in the '40s and '50s, which I agree with. Progress for me is going downhill these days. People don't help each other any more and it's too easy to buy everything now. There's no pleasure in buying something when you can make it yourself."

Albert has combed local skips for many of his finds.

"I just see things and think 'that could come in handy'. I've always been into repairing things and making things out of something else."

He said he was disgusted to see how many recyclable items had been thrown on to bonfires this year.

"It's just ridiculous what people throw away," he said. "Cupboards and doors and beds that could be re-used."

His wife, Christine, is pleased with the finished product as, it would seem, are neighbours and passers-by - some of whom have asked Albert for a peek inside.

"Already a few people have called at the house and asked to have a look inside the van," said Albert, who began planning the project with a few drawings on paper.

He now plans to take the van to shows and carnivals in the spring and has also contemplated opening it to the public at weekends. Last October, the T&A revealed how Albert had arranged his own DIY funeral - so he could be buried on the cheap.

This included him building a chipboard coffin, chiselling his own headstone from a kerbstone and acquiring a plot of land in which his ashes could be buried.

Albert's next project is to build a paddle steamer if he can find a boat hull and cabin - and a space to build it!