HE made international headlines with 72,000 shrouded figures starkly depicting the horrors of World War One.

And now Washford artist Rob Heard has returned to a gentler world of woodland fantasy with a collection of seven tree-house sculptures which will be on permanent display in the orchard at Torre Cider Farm from tomorrow (Saturday).

Rob made his first bough-house – an extravaganza of turrets towers, spiral staircases and steep walkways entwined in a tree branch – 15 years ago for his three young daughters.

Since then, at least 30 have been sold around the world, but production ceased when Rob embarked on his epic Shrouds of the Somme project, which has occupied him for the past six years.

“It’s the first time I have accepted a commission to build bough-houses and this is something different for me,” Rob said.

“At around eight feet high, they are the biggest I have made and the only ones designed to be outside.

“The orchard is a wonderful place for them and gives the houses a completely new dynamic.

“I never have any plans for the houses – they’re all different and depend entirely on the shape of the branches. These came from an old elm tree in my garden.”