Shropshire sculptor creates memorial for RAF's 100th anniversary

The roebuck sculpture was designed and built by Alfie Bradley, from Morda, near Oswestry, to mark 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.

It was unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and a ceremony was attended by former servicemen and their families.

Mr Bradley, who is most known for creating the iconic Knife Angel structure that is currently at the British Ironwork Centre, was unable to attend the event but was honoured to have been asked to create the memorial.

He said: "They approached me and asked me to produce the roebuck, which is made out of metal rods, much like a bear I have created in the past.

"It took about three to four months to do, but unfortunately I wasn't able to be there at the unveiling recently.

"I have been told it went down really well, and people were really pleased with how it came out.

"It is such as big honour to be asked to create something like this, and I am hoping to get down to see it in place soon."

Mr Bradley has created a number of different sculptures over the years including the Knife Angel, a gorilla made of spoons, and various other items.

He was unable to attend the unveiling as he was at a show in Chelsea, where he showcased some of his work and built new contacts.

He said things are currently busier than ever for him, and he has recently been asked to create a piece for a museum in Portsmouth, to commemorate soldiers who fought in the D-Day landings.

He added: "The show in Chelsea was fantastic, I took a number of items with me to show from sculptures to paintings and I was able to meet other artists, build new contacts.

"I've been invited to some other galleries and I've been asked to do another piece for a museum in Portsmouth.

"They want me to create a soldier, and incorporate thousands of bullets the same number that went into battle on D-Day.

"To do jobs like that one and the roebuck is a privilege and I'm very honoured to be asked."