BILLY Wilson, from Brompton, near Northallerton, worked for many years as a structural welder, always with steel.

More recently, he has coupled his engineering skills with a lifelong love of horses and artistic leanings that began in childhood when he would endlessly copy equestrian pictures.

"I used to copy pictures of Arkle from a jigsaw box," he said.

Though not brought up among horses, they were clearly in his blood as in 1952 his grandfather owned Teale, which later won the Grand National.

Mr Wilson trained with York Trailers and worked for John Metcalfe, of Burneston. "That was a great experience and has proved so useful," he said.

His next job was at Severfield Reeve, but when he was made redundant, he decided to try his hand at a dream nurtured since childhood and turn his hand to sculpting horses in metal.

He learnt to ride four years ago, and went to Doncaster bloodstock sales to observe horses before setting to work on his latest piece of work, an almost life-sized racehorse being really ridden out, which took nearly three months to make.

The form conveys a sense of speed, and actually does move slightly in the wind as the work is fixed to the base only by one hind leg.

Asked what the piece is called, Mr Wilson said: " I have called it many things while making it, but it has no particular name. That will be the buyer's perk."

He has been commissioned to make smaller pieces, and would like to design a steeplechaser or a hunting piece, but said: "I would do any horse for preference; a rodeo piece or a polo pony, and my son, Oliver, now four, wants me to do a Highland bull."

Mr Wilson can be contacted on 01609 773040.