A CHORLEY village has come into the stone age in a big way.

A 12ft high 13cwt sculpture, produced by have-a-go villagers, was unveiled in Croston at the weekend.

The scheme was the brainchild of local artist Charlie Holt, of Westhead Road, after it was proposed something special should be done to mark the millennium.

He recruited several volunteers, including professional stone carver Boris Hawarth who made four milestones for the main roads into Croston. They then graduated to the piece de resistance -- the main sculpture for the village green. Charlie said: "I hadn't done any stone carving before. It was just a matter of getting people that were interested together."

David Massam, aged 56, was one of the first to volunteer. He said: "Initially we started doing milestones. When the old school was empty, the rector gave us permission to go in and do workshops.

"We soon progressed to a larger sculpture showing the history of the village with a backdrop of Church Street and children on a horse and cart at the traditional Coffee Day.

Some 150 people turned out for the unveiling on Saturday, including representatives from the parish, local and county councils, and the twinning association, all of which helped fund the project.

STONE me: pictured is Carver Steve Dykes with daughter Stephanie.