It was an old car brake shoe which provided the inspiration for 81 year old Leslie Hughes’ model of The Golden Hind, which has won first prize in Hampshire’s War on Waste Garbage Art challenge - an innovative competition sponsored by motor dealership Derek Warwick Honda.

The challenge was launched earlier in the year when art students and members of the public were challenged to produce unique creations from waste and recycled materials as part of Hampshire’s ground-breaking War on Waste campaign.

Mr Hughes, who lives at Bitterne, Southampton, said: "I was looking at an old car brake shoe that was about to be dumped in the bin. When I realised its potential, I decided to build a galleon with other items found in the house and garage that were waiting to be thrown away. The model was then fabricated from a total of 37 junk items."

Amongst the bits and pieces included within the model are: a tin opener; a gate latch; distributor points; a golf tee; a brake pipe; a suitcase bracket and an umbrella rib end.

Mr Hughes added: "Once the model was sprayed gold it made an attractive mantelpiece model of Sir Francis Drake’s flagship The Golden Hind."

Derek Warwick, a keen recycler himself, commented: "We were so impressed with Mr Hughes’ model - and it was great that an old car part was the inspiration behind it! As a business we pride ourselves on being very environmentally friendly. Cutting down on the waste we produce is not only a good idea for its own sake, but also saves on costs as well. As a manufacturer, Honda is committed to building its cars with as many recyclables as possible."

Councillor Varden , Chairman of Hampshire County Council’s Public Protection Committee, said: "It’s been fantastic to see some of the pieces which have been created for this challenge. Using ‘garbage’ in creative ways helps reduce the waste mountain which can only be a good thing as we continue to fight the War on Waste."

There were also two highly commended winners, Natalie Woodfield (17) from Basingstoke College of Technology who created a ‘deconstructed chair’ and 12 year old Daniel Webb from The King’s School in Basingstoke, with his model, ‘An Elephant and How!’. The overall winner received a cash prize while the highly commended winnners received tokens to help with their art studies.

For further information please contact Angela Bethell at Hampshire County Council on 01962 847026 or Suzy Wilson at Lee Peck Communications on 01703 740222.

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