A sculpting consultant has re-created four giant stone owls at the entrance to a former Sunderland hospital.

Bill Jordan was called in to re-create the four stunning owls, which marked the entrance to Penny Hospital, after they were smashed during the hospital's demolition.

The hospital has been turned into luxury flats but there was a local outcry at the loss of the 4ft 6in owls, which had stood watch since 1831.

Bill salvaged parts of the broken stylised owls to ascertain their proportions and style so he could accurately re-create them.

He says: "They were originally created by a man named Potts, who was well known in the North of England.

"It was an interesting project to work on, the owls had been part of the scenery since 1831.

"Local people were really upset that the owls had been destroyed. It's been a fascinating project reproducing the owls completely."

The mould that Bill created will now be used to reproduce more owls that will be sold, and he will be working in partnership with Abbey Art Stone, of Pitt Street in Keighley.