A NEWLY-formed North-East firm is using its local railway heritage to demonstrate how computer design and old fashioned craftsmanship can create stunning works of art.

Heritage Design Castings (HDC) of Shildon, County Durham is combining computer-aided design, plastic moulding and resin technologies to create a range of artworks in reconstituted stone.

The firm was formed by Alan Corner and ex-Cleveland College of Art lecturer, Richard Ellam, together developing an innovative, multi-technology process.

As well as working from artwork ranging from old drawings to photographs and reproduce it in minute detail on stone castings, HDC has the craftsmanship to take an original concept and "sculpt" it in two or three dimensions.

The firm's first products - paving and stepping stones featuring line drawings of Locomotive One and Royal George - were produced from original drawings for the Timothy Hackworth Museum.

Mr Corner said: "Our technique opens up exciting new possibilities for local authorities, museums and developers who want an attractive hard-wearing bust cost-effective method of commemorating local heritage.

"We are already discussing projects with a number of organisations."

Other projects include an artistic feature for a time capsule commissioned by Shildon Millennium Committee and casting of a work by Wearside sculptor, Brian Brown.