Who says dollies are just for girls?

Certainly not Darren Knowlton who has amassed a collection of more than 650 Cabbage Patch Dolls at his Colchester home.

Although the 27-year-old initially received some stick for his obsession with the chubby-cheeked figures, his tormentors were soon silenced after realising what a sound investment it is.

Darren, of Tabor Road, insists there is no difference between his own hobby and those who collect valuable stamps or antique toys.

His colourful extended family, which fills a room and attic of his home, is currently valued at around £30,000.

And with certain sought-after dolls attracting a £15,000 price tag, they could well be worth a great deal more.

The assistant manager of Costa Coffee in Chelmsford, set out on his endless pursuit of the dolls when he was just 12 years old.

After hearing of the craze which was then sweeping the nation, Darren went to Woolworth's early one morning and proudly purchased his first boy.

In fact, you do not just buy a Cabbage Patch Doll but adopt it - and each comes with its own certificate to mark the special relationship.

"After getting my first one it all really took off and I haven't looked back since," recalled Darren.

He now scours stores across Britain as well as buying from outlets and traders in America. And amid all the buying and selling he still finds time to run the UK Cabbage Patch Collectors Club which currently has around 60 members.

So what is the big attraction of these lovable little figures to a fully-grown man?

"I think their collectable appeal comes from the fact that they are all different," said Darren. "It is all about their individuality."

Like many young boys in the eighties, Darren began buying collectable figures based on the Star Wars films - but his passion for plastic space characters was not long lived.

So now that he is fast approaching his thirties, has Darren any plans to throw in the towel with his current hobby?

"I occasionally sell the odd one or two but at the same time I am buying them as well," he said.

So with his interest as strong as it was when he bought that first doll, Darren's 16-year love affair with Cabbage Patch Dolls looks set to go on and on.

Are you interested in collectables? Buy and sell on the Gazette's Auction Hunter website

On his patch - Darren Knowlton with some of his 650 Cabbage Patch Dolls

Picture: TERRY WEEDEN

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.