Can You Swap A Paperclip For A Narrowboat?

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Within 10 months and just six swaps he had traded up to a 600cc motorcycle and, last month, exchanged the bike for a speedboat after his story appeared in the Chronicle & Echo.

On Wednesday the 26-year-old took another step towards his ultimate goal when willing trader Toby Stanbra, of Bellinge, took the boat off his hands and left him with a second-hand Porsche.

Mr Shipley said: "I had about 10 offers of potential swaps for the speedboat, although not all of them were serious.

"Someone actually offered me their wife, but said they didn't think I'd want her.

"In the end it was between an off-road buggy and an A-reg Porsche 924 and I decided to go for the car.

"In mint condition they're worth about £3,000 and although this one's not perfect, it's in good order, is taxed and MOT'd and doesn't need anything doing to it.

IT started out as something of a pipe dream, swapping a humble paperclip for a raft of everyday objects until you end up with a new home, but for one lucky Northampton trader the dream is close to becoming a reality.

James Shipley, from Baines Way, Grange Park, set out on his goal of trading up to a narrowboat after falling in love with life on the waterways during a trip to Stoke Bruerne last year.

Inspired by the success of Canadian Kyle MacDonald, who swapped one red paperclip for a house in 14 trades, he set out on his own version of the ultimate freebie hunt.

He said: "I thought I'd have a go and see how it went.

It's been brilliant so far, I've been amazed at the response.

In 10 months I have gone from a paperclip to a 600cc motorbike; hopefully I can reach my target of a boat before the year is out.

"The first couple of swaps were all done through a website.

I swapped my paperclip for a bouncy ball from some guy in Pennsylvania; it's all a bit random really but great fun."

Mr Shipley, aged 26, has so far made six swaps, trading the paperclip for a ball, the ball for a book, then a golf bag, a multi gym, a radio controlled plane and now a 600cc motorbike.