The Sea Heart Ship project was backed by OLA ice cream

The ship was painstakingly glued together by former Hollywood stuntman Robert McDonald and two friends - a job that took two years.

The sticks were collected by children all over the world. Mr McDonald is claiming the world record for the biggest boat made that way.

He hopes to sail the 15m (50ft) ship across the Atlantic.

The ship carried a crew of 20 on its maiden voyage.

"It's a dream come true. It's truly worth all the hard work," said Mr McDonald, quoted by Reuters news agency.

"I never want to look at glue again. I don't think I will be in a hurry to look at ice cream sticks again."

The 45-year-old, from Jacksonville, Florida, is president of the Sea Heart Foundation, an organisation which runs projects for children in need.