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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower

Canal boat home called Wiggles which looks like a tube train can be yours for £20,000

Those who love taking the tube or trips on a boat have the chance of buying their dream home of a canal boat turned into an Underground train.

The one-of-a-kind floating home, nicknamed Wiggles, has been put up for sale by its owner for £20,000.

The boat is the brainchild of owner Darren Brown, 39, and comes fitted out with a 'Mind the Gap' sign on its outside and inside it has Underground-themed features.

Mr Brown, from Uxbridge, London, took six months creating the incredible vessel.

He said: "My wife thought that painting it like an Underground Train would only appeal railway enthusiasts, but she's popular with all sorts.

Wiggles is on the market for £20,000 (Will Dax/Solent News)

"She has a real energy to her, lots of towpath users stop and ask to take pictures with her.

"It's a different energy, definitely a bit more chilled out than riding on the tube.

"She's called Wiggles because she has excess weight above the water line which makes her move around.

"I've managed to decrease the wiggle with my upgrades, but haven't stopped it completely.

Wiggles before being repainted (Solent News & Photo Agency)

"The shape of the boat was the inspiration for the whole Underground theme.

"We also call her Mind the Gap now because of the obvious similarities between stepping onto a tube train and stepping onto a canal boat from the bank.

"I've had interest from people who want to live on her and people with business ideas as well."

Mr Brown, a gardener and carer, bought the boat in January from a seller on the River Lee in East London.

Darren Brown proudly standing with the boat (Will Dax/Solent News)

Wiggles includes a sofa with London Underground map upholstery, Underground roundel t-shirts, posters and scatter cushions.

Mr Brown is selling the boat so he can buy a 'bigger and better one' to continue the floating art project.

He added: "It was just a bit of fun to start with, Wiggles was the only size of boat that we could afford.

"I stripped the boat out completely and upgraded it. I thought [the Underground theme] suited her really well, and graffiti artists love the idea of painting on trains.

The inside before Wiggles' stunning transformation (Solent News & Photo Agency)

"We had different artists working on her every week. She looked different all the time until we settled on her current paint job.

"She spent time with a giant eyeball painted on her, and often had big letters and tags.

"Lots of towpath users would stop and chat because she's so unique.

"I'm used to turning heads with my boats, I didn't think Wiggles would get so much attention.

Railway enthusiasts and boating lovers can get their hands on the boat (Will Dax/Solent News)

"Everyone was welcome to pick up a can of paint and get involved.

"I just came up with the idea. It's the artists who have made it."

Wiggles has been listed for £20,000 on Facebook Marketplace.

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