Italian toy story: retired mechanic carves old favourites

Cuneo, Italy

WITH his portly frame, bushy white beard and twinkling eyes, Italian toymaker and puppeteer Mario Collino could be a stand-in for Father Christmas.

But while he too carts around bags of toys made in his workshop, Mr Collino, who performs under the name "Prezzemolo" (Mister Parsley), is more of a Mister Geppetto, the fictional carver and father of the fairytale hero Pinocchio.

Mr Collino, a retired Michelin tyre factory mechanic, has spent nearly 30 years touring…