A doctor who created a huge fan of homemade Daleks support charity said he wanted to turn a "human-hate" character into a "helpful thing."

Mark Casto, 67, is from Ditchingham, who is known as Dalek Man - recycles everything from Christmas gadgets to dusty lids to create a life-size villain.

Inspired by daughter Amy, who made the gingerbread version, Mr. Casto has built several homemade Daleks since the lockdown to support homeless and disabled charities.

"They've changed a lot over the years and they're still so popular - it's just showing that like Spider-Man and Batman, they have something special about them."

Although Daleks first saw them on TV as a kid in the 1960s, Casto said they had the most influence on him.

“I was fascinated by them, and when I grew up, I wanted to build them and finally have the skills and time to do that.”

The handmade Daleks take about six to seven months to piece together and are about 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide.

They are made from recycled materials including wood and plywood, fiberglass and even knitting needles.

Mr. Casto made his first Dalek about five years ago and named it Dalek DL to mention its Dustbin Lid's head.

Since then, he has built five more names, including Dalek Rad, Dalek Bert and Dalek Blisteron.

His two Daleks have operation scooters inside, so Mr. Casto can often be seen disguising himself as his evil Orter-Ego in his local area.

He said: "I often let people walk past my dogs and stay still like my props, and I wait until they get closer and if the dogs look OK, one of my favorite lines is that in Dalek's voice, 'This is the leader of what is this creature?"

“If they say it’s their dog, I’ll say, ‘I’m not talking to you’.”

Daleks helped promote charities including Emmaus, Emmaus and Waveney Enterprises provide a space for those with learning disabilities to express themselves through crafts and life skills, and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Mr. Casto said he had no plans for further Dalux. Instead, those who he already has will be fully utilized in activities and organizations across the country.

Two of them will participate in children's events held in Suffolk's Latitude Festival in July.