ONE of Britain's few remaining coopers has been putting his skills to good use, but for water rather than the usual beer.

Jonathan Manby usually makes traditional wooden beer casks for Theakston's Brewery, at Masham.

But his latest creation is a replica of a medieval water tankard, which he will present to the Water Conservators Company, in London.

Such vessels were once commonplace in the capital, where for centuries they were used to distribute water before piped supplies were introduced.

To reduce weight, Mr Manby used larch instead of the traditional oak, but when the 3ft vessel is full with six gallons of water, it still weighs 100lb.

He was commissioned to make the piece by Ted Flaxman, a past master of the Water Conservators Company, who has written a history of London's water bearers.

And delivering it to the capital will be a double cause for celebration for Mr Manby, as he will also be made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Coopers.