Rutland Queen Elizabeth II statue cast in bronze

The bronze was heated to 1,140C (2,084F) and poured into various moulds

The bronze for what is believed to be England's first permanent memorial to Queen Elizabeth II has been poured.

The 7ft (2.1m) bronze statue will be installed outside Oakham Library, with the £120,000 cost covered largely by donations.

Sculptor Hywel Pratley said he was "nervous and stressed" as the metal was poured into several moulds.

The pieces will now be polished and assembled, and the complete statue is due to be unveiled early in 2024.

Sculptor Hywel Pratley said he was "very honoured" by the commission

Mr Pratley said he was "very honoured" to be asked by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland to design the statue and had been working on it since January.

It was first shaped in clay, then silicone moulds were formed then wax casts made.

But the final phase, adding the molten bronze, was the toughest for Mr Pratley.

The cast pieces will now be finished - neated and polished - before assembly into the full statue

He said: "I was nervous and stressed but that was partly because it was one of the few parts of the process I can't participate in.

"But when it is bringing metal to 1,140 degrees, I take a back seat.

"While I am nervous about handing over control, I trusted them to do it and they came up trumps with a beautiful cast."

The statue has attracted some controversy, with Rutland County Council receiving 41 objections and 33 letters of support for the plans during the consultation.

It will be positioned near Oakham Library on a grassy area near the junction of Catmos Street and Stamford Road.