ARTIST Gavin Darby is on an environmental mission – and turning rubbish into things of beauty.

His Notts-based workshop, Frailloop, has been busy recycling scrap metal into sculptures for gardens and other outdoor spaces.

Among his latest work is a sculpture to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Stonebridge City Farm, in St Ann's.

Gavin, 41, of Polperro Way, Hucknall, started working in metal after taking evening classes in welding.

He said: "I wanted to learn how to make an engine cover for my narrowboat, and it all went from there.

"I started making birds from bits of scrap metal, and then flowers."

After helping with some maintenance work at Stonebridge City Farm he was asked to create a sculpture for the new anniversary garden.

Marie Rogers, manager of Stonebridge, said: "In keeping with environmental issues, Gavin decided on a piece with birds, insects and a flower.

"He asked us to provide him with materials such as horseshoes, keys and forks." The sculpture has now become the centrepiece of the garden, attracting positive comments from visitors.

Marie added: "It proves that things of beauty can be made from rubbish."

Recycling remains central to Gavin's thinking and often inspires his work.

He said: "Everyone needs to do their bit, and every small step can make a huge difference.

"I enjoy the natural shapes that occur in scrap metals. I've used a fire extinguisher for a dog's body in the past, and horseshoes actually form petal shapes when stood on end."

Gavin is ambitious about the future of Frailloop, which is based at the Arts Organisation in Station Street.

"I would like to make bigger objects, and am interested in working with hot as well as cold metals.

"At the moment the sculpture scene is as strong as I have ever seen it in Nottingham and the East Midlands."

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