WHEN an old chestnut tree in the grounds of a Bembridge nursing home started dying, an idea was hatched to save it from the chop.

Instead of cutting down the tree, staff at The Elms contacted Isle of Wight wood carver Paul Sivell to see if he could turn it into a work of art instead.

He came to take a look at the tree and, after talking to staff, they decided the sculpture should consist of two red squirrels — because of the number of squirrels that visit the grounds of the nursing home.

Once the plan was finalised, Mark Garrard, who oversees maintenance at The Elms, lopped the tree as required, with Paul carving it into the beautiful sculpture over the course of the next three days.

Glenda Reed, of The Elms said: ‘I know Paul and thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for us to create a new feature and talking point in our grounds.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the results and the residents think it is wonderful because it is probably the only one of its kind on the Island.

"They love show it to their visitors.”

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