When former sailor Bob Larking's hedge started to grow out of control he saw an opportunity he could not resist.

Instead of the usual neat trim, he decided to train his fast-growing leylandii into the shape of minesweeper HMS Mariner on which he served in the 1950s.

Mr Larking, 68, started work with his shears, a strimmer and some string to create the 23ft long living sculpture, using an old photograph of the vessel as a guide.

Four years later, the ship stands proudly in his garden, in Capel Avenue, Peacehaven, complete with bridge, mast, funnel and sweep deck with a gun mounted on the bow and a Union Jack on the stern.

A sign bearing HMS Mariner's identification number, M380, is mounted on its port side.

Mr Larking said: "I planted a row of leylandii along the side of the drive. When they started to grow quite tall I looked at them and thought if I bent them into shape, I might be able to do something with them.

"I had a quick look at some other examples of topiary and decided it would work. The trees are in quite a narrow space, so a ship was ideal."

Mr Larking has kept his model as close as possible to HMS Mariner, the minesweeper on which he served for two years in the mid Fifties.

He is an enthusiastic member of the Algerines Association of former minesweeper crew and regularly meets former comrades at social events around the country.

He said: "I joined the navy in 1949 as a boy sailor, serving on two aircraft carriers, HMS Triumph and HMS Glory, before joining Mariner for two years from 1953 until 1955.

"Then my father died and I had to leave the navy to look after my younger brother and sisters but I'm a staunch Navy man and always have been."

"I liked the comradeship. When you are in the service you are living in very close proximity to other men. You come to rely on other people.

"You are a very close-knit groups of people, perhaps even more than in the army or the air force because you are away together for such long periods of time. There were some horrific times as well."

Whenever there is a special event or a day of national significance, such as the Queen's birthday or an important anniversary, Mr Larking hoists a flag to the top of the ship's mast.

He also flew a special flag for three days as a mark of respect to the victims of last week's terrorist attacks in America.

He said: "The neighbours love it, especially when I've got my flag up. When they see it they come over and ask what the special occasion is.

"We have got 11 grandchildren and they all love it too, though they are not allowed to play on it."

Mr Larking is in the process of selling his house and said the model minesweeper proved quite a talking point for prospective buyers.

He said: "A lot of them wondered what it was at first but when I told them, they could seen it. The people who are buying the house have said they will look after it."

Though he will be sad to leave the ship behind, Mr Larking is looking forward to creating a new one at his new home in nearby Slindon Avenue.

He said: "The new house has an established hedge which is nearly 30ft long and 10ft tall.

"My wife has told me not to touch it. I will have to be careful not to mess it up but I am thinking about what I can do with it."

Anyone who would like to get in touch with the Algerines Association can email ml-griffiths@lineone.net or call the association secretary on 01538 756059.