Exterminate! (From York Press)

Exterminate!

10:08am Saturday 2nd December 2006

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THIS life-size replica of the dreaded Dalek from Doctor Who is causing havoc on the streets of York.

It is the work of creative genius Andrew Simpson, 22, of Hull Road, York, who took eight months building TV's scariest baddie out of materials bought from his local hardware store.

His Dalek's distinctive sucker is actually a toilet plunger, and its bodywork is made out of plywood, fibreboard, aluminium and polystyrene.

Andrew can even recreate the distinctive rasp of the Doctor's sworn enemy by using a special voice device he speaks into while controlling it from the inside.

He said: "I took my Dalek out on to the streets for the first time recently which was great.

"We live near the university so I kept shouting "I don't like students - you will be exterminated!

"The best thing is just sitting in it until someone comes over and then shouting "exterminate". They jump out of their skin."

Andrew's previous creations include building a fully-working cinema in his back garden, a Jurassic Park-themed water ride and then an Egyptian theme park.

He recently set up his own online TV and film memorabilia business, Movie Mania, which recently sold an Audrey Hepburn autograph for £600.

"I've probably only seen three or four episodes of Doctor Who, but I decided to build this Dalek because they are so iconic and known for their terror to millions of people."

Andrew, whose creation is signed by former Doctor Who actors Paul McGann and Tom Baker, hopes to take it into the city centre to promote his business. He can manoeuvre the Dalek with his legs while sitting down in it and has connected it with wires to light up the zapper and iconic evil eye.

"Many people think I'm mad," he said.

"But it seems to cheer up a lot of people when I'm out with it. I'm hoping to attach a water gun to it to squirt all those kids who try to dismantle it."

Andrew's dad, Ron, 64, said: "I think the Dalek is fantastic - I've been watching its construction with great interest. I admire the effort Andrew has put in."

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