A HUGE sculpture of a rearing horse made entirely from horseshoes is turning heads at a village forge in Ribble Valley.

Blacksmith Steve Marshall has made the 6ft horse sculpture as a showpiece for his forge in picturesque Downham.

Steve, who has been the village blacksmith for six years, made the horse from hundreds of horseshoes given to him by a client for Christmas.

He used 210 horseshoes to make the horse, including its mane and tail, in a labour of love that lasted several weeks. He said: "I was asked by a client to make a candlestick from horseshoes before Christmas. I was given hundreds of horseshoes in return and challenged to make something from them.

"I like making animal and bird sculptures from metal and a horse seemed the obvious choice. I got carried away and it became quite a labour of love."

It is not the first time that Steve's ironwork has proved an eyecatcher. He has already produced a green metal dragon with a wingspan of nearly 5ft, whch is at the Downham Estate Office.

He also made the 12ft decorative gates at Downham Hall, the home of Lord and Lady Clitheroe, after the original set were stolen.

Steve said:"I'm very pleased with the horse. I hope it will encourage people to pop in and watch a traditional village blacksmith at work."