Audi...I'm so car-azy for Germany's finest

A COUPLE are so obsessed with Audis that they have filled their home with memorabilia from the German car manufacturer.

Jeff and Cherie Barker-Jones have spent more than £10,000 building their collection, which includes 650 model cars, 15 race coats, 40 caps, seven teddies, two racing car tyres, posters, bath towels and even Audi dressing gowns.

Mr Barker-Jones has an Audi tattoo on his right arm and the couple even exchanged wedding rings engraved with the famous Audi logo.

Despite his obsession, he works for rival manufacturer Toyota at Burnaston.

Mr Barker-Jones, who delivers parts to the factory's production lines, said his obsession with Audi started when he bought an Audi 80 when he was 24.

He is now 39 and his collection takes up an entire room in his Uttoxeter home – and the loft is full of Audi goodies, too.

He said: “I've loved Audis ever since buying the Audi 80. I just thought it was a good strong car and I had it for nearly 12 years.

“The collecting started by accident. We were on holiday in Blackpool when I saw a couple of Audi models in a shop, so I bought them on impulse and it went from there.

“My strangest things are probably a 2ft-long model Roadster toy, designed for a child to ride, and a cloth from Castle Donington. We had gone to an event there and saw a man polishing an Audi, so I asked if I could keep the cloth and he gave it to me.”

Mr Barker-Jones also claims his wife, Cherie, 38, encourages his obsession. The couple own an Audi A3.

He said: “Cherie is as mad about Audis as I am. It's her job to clean the car. She polishes it about twice a week.

“When we bought our wedding rings in Turkey, the shop owner asked if we wanted anything engraved, so we agreed on the four rings which make up the Audi logo.

“I got my tattoo as a further symbol of my dedication to the company. I think I must be the biggest Audi fan in the UK.”

The couple have vowed to continue collecting and will jet out to Germany tomorrow in the hopes of picking up some new Audi brochures and memorabilia.

Mr Barker-Jones hopes to one day meet his idol, Jeremy Clarkson, another Audi fan, and would also like to see his collection in a museum.