A BLACKSMITH has been awarded the Show Champion prize at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

Andy Basnett, a blacksmith and art metal worker, was given the prize in recognition of his "acorn and oak leaf candelabra", as well as a second prize for his red Art Nouveau-inspired floral sign bracket.

It is the second time that Andy has won the prize of Show Champion as part of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmith’s competition.

He said: “I am really proud to be made champion at this year’s show.

“A huge amount of time and effort went into producing the work and it seems to have paid off.

“The judges felt that the level of detail and workmanship in my oak candelabra just pipped the other entrants’ work to the post.”

Based at his forge just outside Old Malton, Andy has developed his blacksmith’s skills over nearly 30 years and is able to undertake a diverse range of work, including the reproduction and restoration of historic wrought iron, as well as the creation of original sculptural pieces.

All his work is handcrafted and forged using traditional skills, with an emphasis on hot forging techniques - working at the fire with hammer and anvil.

His work is mainly carried out in mild steel, although wrought iron, stainless steel, copper and brass are also used.

Andy has a website at basnettblacksmiths.com, which features examples of his work from small to large items, traditional to contemporary, functional or decorative pieces.

The Wrought Ironwork Awards at the Great Yorkshire Show were open to practising Blacksmiths, Apprentices and young smiths.

The blacksmithing trade was being promoted over the three days of the show by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, who said it was their aim to promote the blacksmithing trade and public awareness of this ancient craft.

The company’s marquee featured an exhibition of traditional and contemporary blacksmithing from several smiths, plus demonstrations.

There was also the opportunity for the public to have a go during the "daily taster courses".

The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths is one of the oldest City of London livery companies, first mentioned in 1299 and receiving its first Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I in 1571.