AN ornate gilded steel bench to mark 800 years of Bristol mayors was commissioned from a West Somerset forge.

The bench, designed and made by West Country Blacksmiths of Allerford, was seen for the first time at a special ceremony this week.

It was unveiled in the gardens of Bristol Mansion House by the present Lord Mayor, Cllr Jeff Lovell.

“It’s a truly beautiful piece and a grand addition to the Mansion House which looks as if it will be here for another 800 years,” he said.

Kieren Roberts, of West Country Blacksmith, said: “It was a real challenge but we are delighted with the result. We were given complete freedom with the design and got some really positive feedback.

“The concept was based on the unicorns that also feature on the Mansion House building and we seemed to have found a design that everyone liked.”

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