An artist is close to completing several wooden monuments which will play a starring role in a trail commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Den Humphrey, who runs engineering art company Out of Our Tree, in Gosfield, is halfway to completing a serpentine bench made of oak which will feature in the My WiSH Charity trail set up across Bury St Edmunds.

The trail will feature 18 pieces of artwork which will be on display to the public from July 23.

They will then be auctioned off to raise cash for the charity, which hopes to raise £500,000 to pay for a new cardiac centre at the West Suffolk Hospital.

Mr Humphrey has already finished work on a book monument which will also feature in the memorial trail and says the bench, which will be 4ft high and 25ft long, will be completed in the coming weeks.

He said: “I’m hoping to get it finished some point next week. I’m doing it by myself so it can take a bit of time but I enjoy doing it.

“My father fought in the Second World War and my great uncle was also involved in the First World War so it has quite a lot of meaning to me.”

The bench will be covered in hand-crafted poppies which members of the public can buy in memory of a family member who fought during the war. For every poppy sold, Mr Humphrey will make a donation to the RBL.

To purchase a wooden poppy or sponsor a piece of artwork call 01284 712952 or email fundraising@wsh.nhs.uk.