Artist's epic effort to commemorate one of the bloodiest battles in history

An artist from Somerset has set himself a momentous challenge to commemorate one of the most terrible events of the First World War.

1 July 2016 will mark 100 years since the Battle of the Somme, and Rob Heard wants to make a shrouded figure for every single one of the men who died on the first day.

He'll work every day, including over Christmas, to make sure the project is finished on time.

See how he makes a single figure:

THE WALL OF THE DEAD

Rob wants to make sure the process pays a proper tribute to the men who fell. He keeps the names of all the casualties displays on the walls of his workshop, crossing off a name as each soldier is completed.

Photos remind Rob to focus on the living man behind each dead figure:

ANY REGRETS?

But as well as the emotional toll of the project, it's physically demanding too. A car crash and multiple operations on the artist's hands makes the work very painful.

His fingers suffer after each ten hour day task.

So, does he ever regret taking on the challenge?

When they're completed, the massed figures will be displayed in Exeter's Northernhay Gardens as part of the commemorations marking that dreadful day.