VISITORS to a Weardale woodland who have stumbled across a cube of pine needles or an immaculate lawn in a dead forest may doubt their sanity, but this is the handiwork of a talented sculptor.

These intriguing pieces of artwork have all been made from natural woodland materials by artist Rebecca Chesney and most will eventually rot away. But, for now, people have been fascinated by the pieces.

Along the woodland walk at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, is a "painted" forest floor created by coloured clothes attached to branches, a 50ft moss sculptor on a steep hillside, a perfectly square lawn in a dark part of the pine forest, and an amazing pine cube.

Rebecca, the Killhope artist in residence, created the installation by packing a cube with millions of pine needles that took her nearly three days to collect and then taking the sides away.

Rebecca, 31, said: "Most people are not entirely convinced the cube is just pine needles and are amazed by it. I think some people thought I was making a huge compost bin.

"It's held together with water, like a sand castle is. Whether you like it or not, it's a feat of natural engineering.

"People keep visiting it just to see what's happened to it.

"The rain and sun haven't affected it too much because it's in the shade, and I'm astounded and thrilled that it's lasted so well."

Rebecca's residency is supported by Northern Arts, Durham County Council and Wear Valley Arts