Somerset man creating 72,000 shrouded figures for WWI memorial

Each model will commemorate one of the men who died in the Battle of the Somme whose bodies were never recovered. Credit: ITV News West Country

An artist from Washford in Somerset is halfway through his huge task to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Rob Heard's exhibition - to be displayed in London later this year - will feature 72,000 shrouded figures.

Each model will commemorate one of the men who died in the Battle of the Somme whose bodies were never recovered.

It follows a similar exhibition from the artist two years ago when more than 19,000 shrouded figures were laid outside Bristol Cathedral.

The project started after a car accident in 2013 meant Rob needed to recover both physically and mentally.

"This is difficult and it's hard. You know, I'm carrying injuries, I'm in pain, there's all that sort of stuff.

"But it's nothing compared to the men who died - the suffering they went through. You know laying out there and dying like they did, not many of them would have died easy. And that's a great leveller, you know I've got to get it in perspective. I'm safe and I'm warm, I'm fed and I'm surrounded by my family."

Th exhibition will go on display at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in November.