WORK will start next week on transforming a chestnut tree stump into a true work of art.

The tree was felled earlier this year after it was discovered to be in a dangerous condition. The mature horse chestnut tree on Dawlish Lawn had been monitored over several years and was found to be almost dead.

Dawlish Town Council requested a 1.5m stump be left with the intention of having a carving made from the stump. A public consultation was undertaken as to what people would like to see carved and more than 100 responses were received.

On Monday, September 5 work is due to start on the stump by Andrew Frost, a tree and wood sculptor who has carried out other works locally. His design will be his own artistic interpretation with a design brief to be:a seat/throne type with a swan carving on the back or arms and potential to include other waterfowl in the carving.

The work will take about a week and the tree and adjacent pathway will be fenced off during the period so the public can safely watch the transformation. The carving project has been funded by Dawlish Town Council and Devon County Councillor Martin Wrigley’s locality budget. Once completed the carving will be officially ‘unveiled’.