A TEENAGE sculptor who taught himself to create masterpieces has won a prestigious prize.

Jordan Britt, 19, from Prettygate, Colchester, has won a prize in his first ever competition.

He turned down opportunities to attend Oxford or Cambridge to pursue his passion for sculpting.

Mr Britt entered the Drey Contemporary Cheffins arts prize in Cambridge and won first place with his piece, ‘Beorn and Maya’.

He said: “It was brilliant, I didn’t even expect to make the shortlist so when they told me I had won I was really pleased. ”

He said the piece made entirely from old books was inspired by a quote based on a storybook hero and his damsel in distress.

It took him over 300 hours to create the piece made from weathered romance and war-based books.

He said: “All the pieces are inspired by mythology or folk law as I like reading about creatures people used to imagine.

“I just like building things and I like the end product of having something physical to look at so I just keep getting through the hours.

“I view each piece as a learning curve and my friends have supported me through the hundreds of hours it takes.”

The 1.5 metre tall sculpture was made with no formal training and he has learnt all his skills on the job.

His most recent piece is made from steel sheet off-cuts, called ’Natälia’.

The 2.6 metre sculpture is of a half woman, half stag. It took him 850 hours to make.

His passion has gone from enjoying ink drawings to producing intricate 3D pieces.

He said: “I used to be quite into drawing with ink but my favourite pen company stopped making the pens so I stopped drawing and wanted to try something else.

“I like having the ability to walk around the piece rather than having to look at one angle.”

He has just entered Natälia into the Columbia Threadneedle Prize at The Mall Galleries in London.

The shortlist will be announced later in the year.