A SOCIAL media-savvy father and son have helped a North- East jeweller’s become a YouTube hit.

More than half a million people across the world have viewed videos posted by Mobeus Jewellers which explain how to craft precious metals into works of art.

The Hartlepool -based business started posting the videos after the owner’s son enrolled for a media production degree at Northumbria University.

They are helping Mobeus secure orders for bespoke jewellery and artworks from customers far beyond its traditional base.

Mobeus owner Mark Lloyd said: “We decided to post the videos after my son, Elliott, started his degree and needed to make some commercial videos.

“He shot some simple how to films showing the process of metalwork and crafting silver and gold into jewellery.

“I had no idea they would be so successful, but they have really taken off, particularly in the US.

“One of the more bizarre commissions we had from the videos was from a man in Oxfordshire who wanted a series of Tears of Joy-branded neckchokers, bangles and padlocks.

We were happy to help!”

Mobeus has posted 16 how to videos on its own YouTube page, including a demonstration of how Mark Lloyd made a mechanical silver lily, which is now displayed near the famous Silver Swan in the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle .

But by far the most popular clip – having been viewed nearly 200,000 times – is one which explains how he made two wedding rings from scrap gold.

Elliott, 21, who recently graduated with a BA (Hons) in media production, said: “I just wanted to shoot some videos to help with my degree and generate some online presence.

“They are all shot on a simple video camera and Final Cut Pro editing software.”