WOOD recycled from a Worcester tree-felling scheme is being carved into giant animal sculptures for the city.

A 4ft rabbit will be the first piece to go on display using timber cut down this autumn in Warndon Woods.

It will be put in position in Gheluvelt Park, Barbourne, tomorrow, and is the first of a series of animals crafted by Worcester City Council wildlife rangers being promoted as children's playthings.

Ranger Richard Clarke worked from a design drafted by colleague and wildlife artist Trevor Smith, whose book on sketching birds includes a foreword by fan Bill Oddie.

"We were left with a fair amount of 100-year-old oak after the work in Warndon so we had it cut into planks while we worked on several creature designs which are now the templates for the play creatures," said Mr Clarke.

"We've probably amassed enough oak for 30 or 40 of the animals as well as stiles, benches and way-markers for various projects throughout the next year.

"The plan is to site a range of oak animals in locations much as they would be seen in nature - hence the rabbit in Gheluvelt Park, hares in meadows and playing fields and foxes and badgers in woodland.

"Being solid oak they are strong enough for children to climb on and sit on and that's precisely what they are there for."