One of the centrepieces in Toby Chennell’s Bournemouth workshop is a world map covered with little white pins.

There are large clusters in the UK and Germany, with others dotted as far afield as Tazmania in Australia, northern Canada and Hawaii.

Each pin represents one of the 75 ukuleles Toby, 40, has made in the last two-and-a-half years.

An instrument maker for 13 years, concentrating mainly on double basses and guitars, Toby used to live near the Southern Ukulele Store when it was based in Boscombe, which inspired him to try his hand at one of the smaller instruments.

“I was walking past the sign every day, so I thought I would give it a go,” he remembers.

“I’m 75 in now and I’ve got a year-waiting list.”

Toby, who lives in Charminster, ensures no two instruments he makes are ever the same and creates a special arched top type of ukulele, which has meant they are hugely in demand all over the world.

“The first one turned out alright,” he says, modestly, of one of the beautifully crafted wooden piece sitting on a chair in the corner of the room.

“So I made six and set up a website called Jazz Box Ukes – I’ve done no marketing at all.

“I put one on eBay and it took off from there.”

Toby estimates there are only around half a dozen ukulele makers in the UK, as the instruments are mainly crafted in Hawaii.

But their increasing popularity means trade is booming in the UK.

Toby, who still makes double basses, one of which was used by singer Jamie Cullum’s band, clearly enjoys making the instruments, which are priced between £450 and £1,300.

There are four sizes available – tenor, soprano, concert and baritone – and he has also started making beautiful wooden ukulele amplifiers.

“The double basses can take up to six months to make, but a ukulele I can do in a week or two,” he explains.

“I just can’t stop doing it - it’s an addition to be honest. It started as a hobby, but that hasn’t gone away. I’ve always enjoyed it.”

One thing Toby doesn’t enjoy, however, is actually playing the instruments.

“I can’t play a note,” he admitted.