A GIANT totem pole artwork created by an Otley sculptor has won a Leeds Architecture Award.

Shane Green created Mary's Tree from a tree in the grounds of Canal Gardens at Roundhay Park, Leeds last year.

Since then the eye-catching piece has been admired by thousands of visitors heading to the nearby Tropical World, whose menagerie of plants and creatures inspired the artist.

Mary's Tree was named People's Choice winner at the 26th Leeds Architecture Awards held in Leeds Town Hall.last Thursday, March 2.

It was also Highly Commended in the Public Design and Landscape category of the competition.

The awards are organised by Leeds City Council and Leeds Chamber Property Forum to 'promote a sense of pride in the new developments that are reshaping the city of Leeds'.

One of this year's Guest Assessors, Kit Martin CBE, said: "I’ve felt incredibly honoured to be involved in this year’s awards.

"The standard of nominations made judging very tricky and I think that reflects the incredible work that has been delivered here in Leeds.

"Leeds is as dynamic in this century as it was in the previous two and all involved should feel justly proud of what they’ve achieved for the city since the last awards."

Commissioned by the Friends of Roundhay Park, Mr Green - who is Head of Art at Prince Henry's Grammar School - covered his totem pole with animal shapes and faces.

The artist dedicated his weekends and evenings to the project, and told the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer that he'd made it so large to "give a sense of wonder an magic to children and adults alike".