A felled tree donated by Shropshire Wildlife Trust to a local craftsman is being turned into reindeer and snowmen, which are being sold to raise money for Hope House Respite Hospice.

Steve Wilson, from Pant, near Oswestry, has made nearly 200 reindeer and snowmen this winter, using logs for the bodies, acorns for the snowmen’s noses and acorn cups for the bodies.

Antlers for the reindeer are made from tree twigs collected locally.

Gareth Egarr, Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Officer, carries out routine management work on Llynclys Common Nature Reserve, including coppicing work to keep glades open for butterflies.

“When Steve told us about his fundraising project we were really happy to be able to give him the tree – it’s a wonderfully worthwhile concern.”

Steve Wilson has been making and selling his reindeer and snowmen for the last three years, raising thousands of pounds for Hope House.

He sells them all over the country including from a stall outside his house.