A BENCH created by one of the North's most famous furniture-makers is to take pride of place in the largest garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Robert 'Mousey' Thompson Craftsmen, based in Kilburn, near Thirsk, have created a bespoke bench for tourist board Welcome to Yorkshire's garden, which took four craftsmen 120 hours to make and features three of the company’s trademark mice.

The garden, titled God’s Own County – A Garden for Yorkshire, has been inspired by the medieval Great East Window at York Minster and showcases the county’s scenery, heritage and skilled tradespeople.

The English oak bench also features a proverb taken from the headboard of Robert Thompson’s bed: "Deep rivers move in silence, shallow brooks are noisy."

Simon Thompson Cartwright, the great great grandson of Robert Thompson, said: “When we were asked to help with the garden, we jumped at the chance to be a part of it."

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “I am really proud of the fact that we are not only going to have the biggest garden at Chelsea this year, but that we also have some fantastic Yorkshire businesses supporting the Yorkshire garden.

“It is fantastic to have a business like this, with such a proud Yorkshire history, supporting our garden and I can’t wait to see the finished bench taking pride of place.”