The mysterious sculptor of a bird carving has been revealed.

Residents were delighted to find a carved owl perched on top of a Japanese Thuja tree in Milton Road, Harpenden, and thought it was a hoot.

The creator of the work has come forward as tree surgeon and artist Gary Ashley of Twisted Ash Chainsaw Sculptures.

The tree needed to be taken down, and instead of leaving a bare stump, Mr Ashley thought he would brighten the place up with some artwork.

He said: "It seemed a shame to take it all down, so we spoke to residents and asked why not make a feature out of it?"

Mr Ashley started the business as a way to make artwork using his background in tree surgery to form designs using a chainsaw.

The company perform routine tree services as well as more artistic inventions, from practical signs and benches to creature creations including owls.

For more information visit http://twistedash.co.uk/.