A CRAFTSMAN based in Ilkley says he is thrilled to be selected to exhibit his work at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Multiple gold award-winning David James, of Olicana Mosaics, creates bespoke, stylish and intricate mosaic features for the garden and landscape detailing. The work is designed and made in Ilkley.

This will be his first year exhibiting at Chelsea, where he will be showing examples of his intricate pebble mosaic pavements and tessellated decorative work, using traditional tools and materials such, as Venetian Smalti and marble.

Recent commissions include two permanent features at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

David said: "For several years, I have been quietly creating mosaics.

!However, after some encouragement, I took the plunge in 2014 to exhibit at the Harrogate Spring and Autumn Flower shows, where I was delighted to win Gold awards on both occasions.

"2015 became very busy, and there was no time for exhibiting. However, looking for the next challenge, the next logical step was to apply for Chelsea. There is fierce competition, and I was thrilled to be selected. The next few months will be a lot of hard work, but I look forward seeing it all come together."

Olicana Mosaics is a small, craft-focused business. Although inspired by the traditional mosaics of the classical world, the process David uses has a number of distinct advantages, making them both suitable for the UK climate and allowing for greater levels of detail and quality of finish.

Every piece is unique to the client’s brief and garden environment.