STUDENTS took up chisels to learn an ancient craft by the man charged with creating a stone masterpiece for Banbury Gateway Shopping Park.

Michael Disley, a world-renowned stone carver commissioned to create a public art exhibition at the new site, spent a day teaching schoolchildren in the art at Banbury Academy earlier this month.

More than 30 young people took part in the 'School of Rock' workshop, producing their own masterpieces from slabs of stone.

Mr Disley said: "The day allowed an insight in to an age old craft, which hasn’t changed much over the last 3,000 years.

"Everyone had their own slab of limestone, and equipped with mallets and chisels, the students set to with great enthusiasm to make their mark on the stone."

A carved stone archway along with two granite benches are currently being created by Mr Disley for the vast shopping site on the outskirts of Banbury.

They will feature designs celebrating local wildlife carved into the surface and will be unveiled in January 2017.

The workshop was organised by site owners The Crown Estate along with Cherwell District Council, one of five being hosted locally.

On the day council leader Barry Wood and councillor Tony Ilott came along to watch the work unfold.

Mr Ilott said: "Public art is crucial to Banbury’s landscape and it’s great to see The Crown Estate installing such an impressive piece work at Banbury Gateway.

"Giving young people the opportunity to work with Michael is a great way to involve the local community and the workshop was a great success."

Nicole Campbell, The Crown Estate’s asset manager for Banbury Gateway, said: "We want to ensure our retail parks have a positive impact for each community we operate in, and installing public art by such a well renowned stone carver is an important part of this plan in Banbury.

"We’re delighted Michael Disley agreed to come to Banbury Academy and provide a great opportunity for local children to get involved in something different."