A BLACKSMITH who can list creating medieval torture equipment as one of his past commissions is planning to open a craft showroom.

James Godbold's Blacksmiths of Egton, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been in business for 20 years manufacturing hand-crafted wrought iron and steelwork.

As well as work on railings, garden gates and street furniture, Mr Godbold also undertakes commissions, and has made replica medieval torture equipment for the London Dungeon.

Recently, he diversified his business into manufacturing hand-crafted items such as weather vanes and fireside furniture. Much of it is sold to tourists visiting the North York Moors National Park.

Now Mr Godbold is planning to extend his premises in Egton to open a showroom and display his pieces. He has secured a £22,000 grant from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

He said: "We can draw and manufacture almost anything on site, and we have built up a reputation for producing work which has proved impossible to obtain from anywhere else.

"We pride ourselves on the quality of our craftsmanship and we are very grateful for the grant from Defra."

James Hodgson, from Defra, said: "We were glad to be able to help the business, which will also help to boost tourism in the village, and benefit local employment."