AN entrepreneur has proved one man’s trash is another’s treasure by creating bespoke furniture from planks of discarded wood from Southend Pier.

Friends of Gary Riley thought he had taken leave of his senses when he began lobbying Southend Council to buy rotting planks removed from the Pier during renovation work.

The wood was destined to be burnt, but Mr Riley believed he could makemuch better use of it.

Now he’s laughing all the way to the bank as his bespoke furniture creations are selling for as much as £10,000.

Mr Riley, who also owns the Tuff Turf astroturf company, said: “There is always a slack period during winter, so I thought it was a good time to let out some of my creative frustrations.

I’d been chasing the wood for some time and was eventually able to buy 15 tonnes of it.

“I make bespoke furniture from it, including dining sets, benches and chairs. I also do cheeseboards, door and name plaques. The pieces range from £10 to £10,000 for a complete bespoke dining set, which are made at a unit, in Stock Road, Southend.

“I design them myself and then customers can choose and make adaptions. It’s a complete recycling project as I use other reclaimed materials as well, like car parts. It’s given me something to do in winter.”

Mr Riley, who has sold some of his wares at Rayleigh market, added: “The planks looked like theywere destined for a bonfire. I could see the potential even though everyone else thought I had lost the plot.

“I couldn’t believe no one else could see what I could see. Not the usual garden borders planters, but as unique, one-off bespoke designs. All have a twist and are far from conventional.

“The pier holds a very special place in my heart as I grew up fishing from there when I maybe should have been at school. I would like to give something back. I will make a percentage donation to the pier trust from the items I sell.”

Southend Council’s councillor responsible for enterprise, tourism and economic development, Graham Longley said: “It is an excellent idea and a great example of recycling to use the old wood from the Pier in this way.

“On occasions we need to replace deck boards on the Pier when they become worn to a certain stage. The old boards can be cut to smaller sizes and used elsewhere, on slipways for example, but over time we do start to build up a surplus.

“The council’s parks department can use some of these, but sometimes we have more than we can store and have therefore sold boards to people who can use them.

“Hedingham Castle has bought old timbers from us previously as have some private individuals.”

For more information about Mr Riley’s wares, email tuffturf co@yahoo.co.uk or call 01702 217657.