A NATIVITY scene made almost entirely of cork and other recycled materials has finally been completed just in time for Christmas after 12 years in the making.

Retired council worker Kevin Kay, aged 72, says he has spent a “lifetime” collecting pieces for his creations from holidays abroad.

His latest masterpiece, ‘Nativity’, is made from “hundreds and hundreds” of corks from mainly wine bottles and pieces of scrap wood collected in his spare time.

Mr Kay says he has spent up to two hours every day perfecting everything to the standards that he wanted and was constantly “rearranging” parts throughout.

The festive scene includes figures of baby Jesus along with Mary, Joseph and the Three Wise Men.

Most of the figures were collected from regular trips to Gozo in Malta, the birthplace of Mr Kay’s wife.

Others of Roman guards, stable workers and a camel pulling a truck made from a champagne cork show the detail that has gone into the project.

The crib is even made from wood taken from part of the Silent Night Chapel in Austria which marks the place where the Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’ was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818.

The roof is made from cork grated using a cheese grater and everything is held in place with strong glue.

Mr Kay, of Montrose Avenue, Tonge Moor, insists that he will use anything in his sculptures but prefers the materials to be recycled. He said: “All the corks I get from friends and neighbours. You would be surprised by the numbers that people give me. The cork is extremely strong so helps when it is all glued together but I like to use any materials that can be recycled. Cutting the cork is very time-consuming as you have to keep sharpening the knife.”

Previous works by Mr Kay include a model of spinning pioneer Samuel Crompton’s birthplace, made mainly of cardboard and grass, and another of Hadrian’s Wall made from scrap wood. And the work won’t stop with ‘Nativity’ as Mr Kay said he already has an idea for his next project. I’m thinking that my next one could be another Samuel Crompton, maybe the Hall i’ th’ Wood,” he said. “It is well known because that is where he kept his spinning mills and so it has lots of history.”

Hall i’ th’ Wood is a 16th Century manor house in Bolton now used as a museum by Bolton Council. The Grade I listed building was let to Crompton in the 18th Century and it was there he designed and built the spinning mule.