THE beauty of the Oxfordshire countryside has inspired sculptor Christopher Townsend for his first major city exhibition.

The O3 Gallery at Oxford Castle is showcasing his work until October 7.

The Tree of Life Series pays homage to the Wychwood Forest near his Ascott-under-Wychwood studio.

The sculpture was made from mild steel and sprayed with salt water solution to speed up the rusting process.

The artist, 38, said: “It is looking at nature and abstracting it and simplifying it.

“It is the biggest solo show I have ever done so it is fantastic.”