AN artist was so taken by the picture of a long-lost masterpiece that he carved a replica in wood.

Beresford Bowes, 72, saw a photograph of the drawing by Michelangelo in The Northern Echo last month.

The drawing, Study of a Mourning Woman, was rediscovered in the late 1990s at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire after being forgotten for more than 250 years, and sold at auction for nearly £6.

Mr Bowes, who lives in Torquay Avenue, Hartlepool, took up wood carving as a hobby after he retired seven years ago.

He said: "From what I've read, Michelangelo was noted for his portrayal of the female form and this actually hides it and I thought it would make a good subject for a carving."

Mr Bowes spent about a month carving the figure out of sapele, a type of mahogany.

He said: "Once you transfer the drawing on to wood and you decide where your first cuts are going to be, it starts to come out and you can see it. Then it begins to come alive."

Mr Bowes gives all of his carvings away, mainly to family and friends, and has produced work for St Teresa's Primary School in Hartlepool, where his wife Sheila works.

This particular piece has already found a home. Mr Bowes said: "My wife's claimed it because she likes it."