A MARQUETRY group based in Wotton-under-Edge is on the search for new members to take up their unique pastime.

The Cotswold Group of the Marquetry Society, founded in 1982 by Richard Shellard, has had a gentle drop in numbers over the past few years.

They are now appealing for new people to come aboard and join them in an interesting and rewarding craft.

The group has a wide range of members, from complete amateurs to seasoned old hands.

Member Wilfred Gulwell recently won an award in a national marquetry competition for his piece entitled Happy Otter. It was entered into the advanced miniatures category.

He said: “The thing is you can do absolutely anything with marquetry. You can make boxes, tabletop decorations or furniture.

“It’s unique and things like that are starting to become fashionable again. You can make something exactly how you want it, just like customising a car.”

Marquetry is the art of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, designs or pictures.

If you are interested in joining the group you can pop into one of their weekly meetings. They get together on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Chipping Club Room, in Wotton-Under-Edge.