A MAGNIFICENT stag’s head complete with antlers has breathed new life into a diseased oak tree.

Chainsaw wood sculptor Andy Burgess created the stunning sculpture at Knutsford’s Toft Cricket Club, to celebrate their emblem.

With painstaking precision, the Mobberley craftsman spent two days turning the top of the 11ft tree stump into a work of art.

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Knutsford Guardian: Andy spent two days creating this stunning stag's head from stump of an old oak treeAndy spent two days creating this stunning stag's head from stump of an old oak tree (Image: Andy Burgess)

Working with chainsaws and power tools is hazardous and demands physical strength and total concentration.

“It is super dangerous,” said Andy, 49.

Knutsford Guardian: Andy works with chainsaws and power tools on top of scaffoldingAndy works with chainsaws and power tools on top of scaffolding (Image: Andy Burgess)

“Using a chainsaw on scaffolding you have to be very very careful.

“You have to have your wits about you every second, you can’t switch off.”

Self-taught Andy has always loved working with his hands and transforms windblown, diseased and fallen trees into carvings of various animals, birds and figures.

Knutsford Guardian: The stag's head taking shape on top of the scaffolding supplied by Cheshire Roof RepairsThe stag's head taking shape on top of the scaffolding supplied by Cheshire Roof Repairs (Image: Andy Burgess)

A passion for nature inspired him to become a wood artist 15 years ago.

“You get absorbed,” said Andy, who was introduced to the craft by brother Tim, also a full-time chainsaw wood sculptor.

“I love it. My friends run all sorts of businesses and there’s me making badgers out of wood.

“I like being outside getting covered in sawdust.

“It’s so diverse.”

Every single carving is unique.

Andy loves to make each bespoke commission special.

Cricket club archivist Jeff Tenner supplied real antlers for the stag.

He said: “I was given a set of antlers years ago by an old groundsman as a roebuck is the club’s logo.

“They are three feet long and too big to use inside.

“They’ve sat in my cellar ever since, until this opportunity arose.

“We’re blown away by Andy’s tree carving. The detail and finish on the stag is absolutely outstanding.

“I think it’s beyond brilliance.”

Andy said: “I added the antlers at the end. It was quite a tricky process.

“I shaped the head first and then glued and screwed in the antlers.

“It had to be quite a robust sculpture with its proximity to cricket balls.”

Andy’s sculptures are on display all over the country in private gardens, parks and various different locations.

Knutsford Guardian: A badger in riding gear, complete with a hip flask is now in a private garden in LondonA badger in riding gear, complete with a hip flask is now in a private garden in London (Image: Andy Burgess)

A couple in London recently commissioned a badger in full riding gear, complete with a hip flask.

A fox now has a new home in Bowdon and he is about to start carving a large buzzard and a huge owl.

Knutsford Guardian: This fox has a new home in BowdonThis fox has a new home in Bowdon (Image: Andy Burgess)

To create the precise anatomy of each creature, he carries out meticulous research and uses photographs as a guide.

But it’s a special private commission this summer that has really fired his enthusiasm.

Knutsford Guardian: Andy is proud of all his bespoke carvingsAndy is proud of all his bespoke carvings (Image: Andy Burgess)

Andy said: “It’s always been my dream to create a full size stag with real antlers. It will be huge.

“I’m hoping to have it on show at the RHS Show at Tatton Park.”