A striking sculpture of a mythological beast, made from a giant redwood tree, has just taken up position ready to greet visitors arriving on the Griffons site of North Walsham's Paston Sixth Form College.

Eastern Daily Press: The Griffon sculpture at Paston Sixth-Form College. Picture: SUBMITTEDThe Griffon sculpture at Paston Sixth-Form College. Picture: SUBMITTED (Image: Archant)

The work is the creation of Matlaske artist Luke Chapman and was commissioned to mark the college's 30th birthday in 2014 and the opening of the new Griffons Theatre last year.

Students ran a competition to design the sculpture and the griffon, which features on the family crest of the Paston family, was the most popular choice.

The project was funded using donations from Old Pastonians and Paston College Foundation members.

Students worked with the artist to improve the design, including the fine detail of the work.

The sculpture owes its distinctive red colour to the wood from which it was made, a Giant Sequoia Wellingtonia Redwood from a Norfolk Estate, blown down in storms.

College principal Kevin Grieve said: 'This is an amazing sculpture and brilliant way to commemorate the sixth form college and the new theatre.

'Luke is an amazing artist and we are all extremely proud of what has been achieved'.

Lewis Millard, student executive president, said: 'It was a brilliant idea by the student executive to commission the sculpture. Luke is very talented and we are pleased with the final result.'

The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle's talons as its front feet. Have you placed a special commission? Contact alex.hurrell@archant.co.uk