IF you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise...

A massive dragonfly high in the trees, a table and chairs fit for a giant and a huge caterpillar gobbling on a bench are among the weird and wonderful wood sculptures scattered around Honeybrook Country Park.

And they're all the creations of 29-year-old Bert Ream and Johnny Banks, 34.

Using chainsaws, angle-grinders and sanders they've recycled storm-damaged trees and transformed an area of woodland at the country park near Wimborne into a sculpture trail.

The pair, who call themselves the Wild Wood Art Team, started on a smaller scale, creating masterpieces for local gardens. But they hope this latest venture will gain them enough recognition to take on more commercial projects in the county.

Bert, from Westbourne, said: "We get our inspiration looking at other people's work and looking around the countryside. As we start on a project it seems to develop into something else.

"We look at the shape of the wood and that influences what creature it's going to become.

"We've tried to add humour into the pieces - one is a bench with a hat carved into the back and we hope to carve a farmer resting against a fence nearby.

"We wanted them to trigger a reaction, the public seem to love it, particularly children."

Other sculptures include a snail, spider, mushroom, frog, crane-fly and turtle and there are plans for a 25ft snake and a castle. They can take up to two weeks to create.

When the trail is complete information boards will guide visitors around and educate them on the creatures inhabiting the woods.

It is hoped the sculpture trail will encourage more visitors to explore the picturesque country park, which is just north of Wimborne on the Cranborne Road.

First published: May 16