FROM the rigging to the lifeboats, this vessel looks ready to set sail.

But despite the intricate level of detail, it'll never take to the high seas - as it can fit into a living room.

The model - a replica of the second Earl of Belmore's yacht - has been lovingly crafted over the course of more than a year by model builder Tony Fancy.

Mr Fancy, of Alder Road in Poole, was commissioned by the seventh Earl of Belmore to create the vessel as part of a planned exhibition.

He said: "I built the yacht for a display which is due to take place in Castle Coole in Northern Ireland.

"The vessel's about five feet long and it's set to go on show in a cabinet as part of an exhibition."

Mr Fancy started the work in December 2014, and the yacht is now finally ready to embark on a sea voyage to the National Trust estate.

However, it'll be on a ferry and inside the back of a van rather than in the water.

The original ship was an American Revenue Cutter captured by the English in 1812.

It was taken to Portsmouth as a prize, but wasn't required by the Navy.

As a result, the former Earl of Belmore bought it and had it converted into a yacht.

Mr Fancy said: "It carried 14 cannons and had room for 40 crew members, most of whom would have been gunners."

Despite that, the model builder added: "It wasn't a big ship as ships go."

Mr Fancy, who previously worked at Poole Museum as a model maker and conservator, used plans and photographs of the ship to build the model.

He said the most difficult part of the build was the delicate rigging.

"It's taken the longest amount of time of any model I've made," he said.