A CREATIVE York man who turned his back garden into a succession of theme parks has launched a new "grown up" venture.

Andrew Simpson, 20, has wowed local people since the age of 13, when he built a museum in the back garden of his family home in Holgate, York.

He followed that with a fully-working cinema, a Jurassic Park-themed water ride and then an Egyptian theme park.

Each project attracted local visitors and school parties, and even earned Andrew a slot on Channel Five News, as well as local television and radio interviews.

Now Andrew, a former photography student in York, has said goodbye to the projects of his teenage years - and his dreams of working in the film industry - to concentrate on his burgeoning antiques business.

And he is also regularly exhibiting his photographs with the group Made In Yorkshire, including an exhibition at the forthcoming Royal Ascot in York.

Andrew said: "I've moved on to new things. I had a lot of thinking to do.

"I was studying design with the Open University. I was enjoying that, but I realized that I'm just not the academic type - it really was stressing me out.

"I thought: 'I've got to do something I really enjoy'. Photography was something I did has a hobby, the same as the antiques, so now I'm trying the merge those.

"I think growing up is part of it. When I was 16 or 17 I was so eccentric, but I've calmed down a bit."

Andrew has called his company Image and is buying and selling items such as ceramics, along with modern and vintage jewellery, all based from his home.

Andrew said: "It is profitable. I go to antique centres and auction houses, mainly in York and I also go to car boot sales.

"It is a challenge. It is hard work sometimes, especially doing the books, but I do enjoy it.

"This is a real passion of mine, I've got a real interest in antiques and modern and vintage jewellery. That's just me, I'm just being who I am."

However, Andrew has not completely forgotten about his past. The cinema is still working and is regularly used by Andrew, his friends and neighbours.

The Jurassic Park gates are also still in his garden, although they have weathered over the years.

Visit www.imagevilla.com or www.image-jewels.com for more information on Andrew's business.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, January 22, 2005