USING techniques that have barely changed in centuries, stone carver Dave Willett is bringing to life one of Britain's best-loved creatures.

One of the team of expert craftsmen who continually work on York Minster, he is working life and form into a block of stone to create an otter.

The stoneyard team is working on the buttresses of the Chapter House vestibule, on the north side of the cathedral.

They are renewing a substantial amount of the stonework, on each corner of which there is a likeness of a creature.

Mr Willett's carving will replace one that has looked out on the city since about the year 1300, but which has succumbed to the ravages of time and is in danger of crumbling away.