TALENTED Lawrence Staley is in big demand, day and night, thanks to his two special but contrasting skills.

On most days, he is out on farms and moors of County Durham building sturdy dry stone walls that will last for up to 100 years.

But at night he switches to the delicate task of engraving pictures and words on to leaded crystal glass at his home, at Mickleton, in Teesdale.

Mr Staley said: "There are not many dry stone wallers and not many glass engravers - I don't think there can be anyone else in Britain who does both."

He has been building walls for 30 years after being taught by his father, Hugh Staley, and is widely regarded as one of the best in the business in the North-East.

He started engraving as a hobby after seeing a book on the subject in Barnard Castle library.

He did it as a hobby for some years, but then found demand for his work growing.

He said: "I decided to do engraving when the weather was too bad for walling, but so many people ask for my glasswork that it takes more and more of my time.

"I now take extra care to protect my hands when lifting big bits of stone, because if I injured them it would be difficult to tackle some of the intricate engraving."

He has had an order from the US for an engraving of a church. His biggest order was for a 3ft by 2ft window featuring sheep, lambs and farm buildings. It is now installed in a cottage at Goathland, near Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Another item was for singer Cliff Richard, ordered as a gift for him by a Teesdale fan. Other engravings on tankards, goblets and plates are for weddings, birthdays and retirements.

Lawrence said, "Walling can be back breaking work. After a seven-hour day I'm shattered. But when I get home I find it relaxing to sit creating a fine picture.

"I'm spending about 50-50 time on the two kinds of work at the moment, but I think as I get older I'll do more engraving. It's cosier than being out in wind, rain and snow."

Dry stone walls are such a traditional feature of northern landscapes that the Government is giving grants to encourage owners to build new ones or rebuild broken ones, which has helped to put extra demand on wallers.

Lawrence's wife, Joan, who does his bookwork, said: "It is wonderful that he has two skills which can be used together like this."