Allan discovered his passion for sculpting almost by accident. He had left a teaching career to work at an art gallery when he was given a block of soapstone and crude chisel by a wholesaler. He tried carving and unearthed a natural gift... his first piece sold before it was complete. Since then he has not laid down his chisel.

'I'm always trying different materials and different styles'

From one piece he may draw out an unbelievably detailed blend of sea grass and fish; from another a dolphin leaping from a swirl of stone and from a third, a graceful abstract.