THE harvesting of specially selected oak trees in Grizedale Forest marked the start of a remarkable personal project by a skilled expert to carve and rebuild one of the Great Screens at Carlisle Cathedral.

In the 15th century, the cathedral was able to boast a series of huge carved screens which were destroyed soon after their installation.

From the remaining fragments Roy Thompson, of Carlisle, an expert in gothic style woodcarving, plans to re-create one of the screens.

The Forestry Commission has contributed the Grizedale oaks for Mr Thompson's work which will be done using only traditional tools and methods typical to the date and style of the original screens.

Mr Thompson's tools have been specially hand-made for the project.

Fragments of the original screens were incorporated into another smaller screen during the 17th century, and Mr Thompson will base his designs on this.

The work is expected to take two years and, once completed, the screen will be displayed in the 12th century nave of the cathedral.