A BILLIARD table constructed entirely out of matches took more than a decade for its ingenious creator to build.

    Zdenek Matejka used as many as 1.85 million matches to build the life-size billiard table at his home in Novy Prerov, Moravia, Czech Republic.

    The creation is a labor of love, which he spent nights and weekends working on for more than 10 years.

    The body is made from larger matchsticks, while he constructed the lining using smaller ones.

    The only other material that Zdenek used to complete the project was wood glue.

    He estimates the project cost him about £3,150 (US$3,871) in total to complete, and he stores the table at his home.

    The billiard table conforms to all accepted dimensions — a standard size of 2.1 meters by 105 cm — and could be used in professional competitions.

    It is covered with the usual green baize, which is used on more traditional tables.

    Zdenek, who works as an attendant at a wastewater treatment plant, said his unusual hobby came about 11 years ago, and developed out of boredom.

    He first started to construct models of mugs and kegs, but after spending time with friends over a pool table, decided to build cues and eventually a whole table.

    “Before, I did more models such as sailboat, tank, plane or samurai sword,” he told Denik.

    “One day while playing billiards at a local inn I thought, why not make your own?”

    And although his epic project required painstaking work, Zdenek said he did not find it difficult.

    “I like peace and this was actually my way of relaxing,” he said.

    He hopes to enter the record books for making the only functioning life-size matchstick billiard table in the world.

    (SD-Agencies)