Although throwing at four I spent my formative years modelling animals. My first commission came to me aged six; make the neighbour three sharks. After the glaze firing however I realized all my dorsal fins were facing backwards.

I hope my animals still contain traces of that illusive ingredient, the naive charm of a benign smile or awkward squint.

During my teens I bought my parents a Staffordshire Flat-back animal every Christmas. We had a brilliant local antique market in Arundel then and you could still discover bargains. I went on to make my own flat backs in the early 1980's starting with Tigers and soon following up with sheep. I later explored all types of animals including Tapir, Wild Boar and the Croc.

For the moment I am taking a rest from the Flat-backs, but they will no doubt return some day.