A chainsaw wood carver has branded the response to his animal artworks in a Romford park as "overwhelming."

Marshall Lambert, who has been making chainsaw carvings for ten years, said he was very happy to have his work in Raphael Park despite the physical challenge of the job.

The Ilford-based carver, who has a workshop in Fairlop Waters Country Park, said Friends of Raphael Park reached out to him around three years ago to enquire about his services.

Marshall said his first job in the Romford park was to replace a rotted squirrel and he has been coming back yearly ever since.

Romford Recorder: Marshall's animal carvings can be seen in Raphael ParkMarshall's animal carvings can be seen in Raphael Park (Image: Dave Watts)

When asked about the positive feedback to his work online, Marshall said. "What can I say about the response? Overwhelming - I've been absolutely surprised about the way it's been received and humbled also.

"People that have never seen this stuff before are hit by the magic of it."

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Romford Recorder: Marshall has been chainsaw carving for ten yearsMarshall has been chainsaw carving for ten years (Image: Dave Watts)

Marshall said the job did not come without challenges, primarily from hauling and manipulating heavy lumps of wood.

"Whatever carving you may see - it's only a third of the piece I've started with."

But the 62-year-old said he enjoyed the challenge at his age, and people's responses have made it worth the effort.

"There's so many things to enjoy about it [carving]," Marshall said. "There's being outdoors, using the brutal chainsaws.

"Chainsaws are quite a brutal thing to make these with [but] the response of the public and my own satisfaction turning an old piece of wood into a piece of art that people love [makes it worthwhile]."

Romford Recorder: Marshall working on his squirrel carvingMarshall working on his squirrel carving (Image: Dave Watts)

Walkers in Raphael Park today will be able to see Marshall's carved badgers and squirrels, complete with a giant acorn.

He took the time to thank Friends of Raphael Park, which he said made his work possible.

"I'm very happy to be here," Marshall said. "It's entirely up to the Friends."

Despite Marshall joking that his friends were "bored" of his work, he said he was delighted people seeing his carvings for the first time could enjoy them.