Children watched wide-eyed as Worksop-born sculptor Simon Kent re-created a primitive-style head in pine during a two-hour demonstration in the school grounds.

Simon, who has commissioned sculptures for a wide-range of projects, including the National Trust, said it was a pleasure to be involved in the event.

”It was exciting to see the children’s faces when they saw me come in with a chainsaw and really good when they saw the finished sculpture,” he said.

”I set fire to the sculpture to help show up the marks in the wood, which I think they found really impressive to watch.”

Simon then had the chance to judge pupils’ artistic talents when he took part in an art exhibition contest with local resident Sheila Pantry.

The seven lucky winners were Malek Belhadj, Lily Farrow, Sinn Mappin, Kieran Street, Imogen Carrier, Elliott Barnard and Thomas Andrew.

Said Simon: ”I was really impressed with the quality of the paintings on display and I thought the pupils had done a good job.”

Proceeds from the sale of paintings to parents raised £1,200 for the school fund, which was a fantastic achievement said school administrator Donna Thompson.

”It was a fantastic success and all the parents were really impressed with the paintings. Simon has offered to come back to do further sculptures, which we hope will be on a bigger scale.”

l For more information about Simon Kent’s work visit his website at: www.simon-kent.co.uk