TALENTED chainsaw sculptor Mark Russell is mid-way through an exciting outdoor art project to transform an old beech tree.

Tree surgeon-cum-artist Mark is giving this dead wood a new lease of life as a monumental tree sculpture.

Work on transforming the tree stump in the children's play area at High Woods Country Park is likely to end later this week.

Until then the area is closed but the public are more than welcome to watch from a safe distance while the sculpture takes shape.

Gazette: Mark (Rusty) Russell of Marnic Carving, working on a tree in the children's playarea near to Highwoods Country Park visitor's centre..

Mark, co-founder of Marnic Wood Carving, but who goes by the nickname Rusty, said: “I’m really delighted to have been asked to carve another sculpture for visitors to enjoy.

"It seems a shame not to do something with the tree when it can be turned into a wonderful feature unique to the park.

“I’d like the finished carving to symbolise some of the flora and fauna that can be seen in the area, and hope it will encourage many more people to appreciate the amazing things nature has to offer.”

Gazette: Mark (Rusty) Russell of Marnic Carving, working on a tree in the children's playarea near to Highwoods Country Park visitor's centre..

The carving will feature some of the wildlife of the park, as well as the face of a Green Man, a once-popular motif in Medieval churches representing the living spirit of nature.

It will be topped off with a larger-than-life woodpecker.

The beech tree was reduced in size several years ago due to poor health but rather than leave a stump, Colchester Council has commissioned Rusty to transform it into an attractive new feature.

Gazette: Mark (Rusty) Russell of Marnic Carving, working on a tree in the children's playarea near to Highwoods Country Park visitor's centre..

Rusty’s previous work in the park includes a large owl which has proved very popular with visitors.

Councillor Tina Bourne, for housing and communities said: “I cannot wait to see what magic Mark creates with this old beech.

Gazette: Mark (Rusty) Russell of Marnic Carving, working on a tree in the children's playarea near to Highwoods Country Park visitor's centre..

"It’s such a wonderful thing to be able to put new life into an old tree and create an organic work of art that I’m sure will prove immensely popular with visitors for decades to come.”