CAN Nigel Goldie make it as an artist? Yes he CAN!

He has created a surreal masterpiece using more than 60,000 aluminium ring-pulls, which he collected over four years.

The 52-year-old mature art student, from Nelson, has produced the work, described as ‘recycling with a surreal twist’, as part of his BA course in fine art at UCLan.

The former Army soldier said he was inspired by the famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali.

He uses symbolic objects and elements, such as skulls and the number six, to create a ‘nightmarish’ scene of the current state of the environment.

Nigel, a married father-of-three, currently working at B&Q, said: “I have enjoyed art since a young age and it was one of my stronger subjects in school.

“This course has allowed me to express myself through art, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the practical aspect of it.

“I am really proud of my work and I hope it will now take pride of place in my garden.

“I just have to convince my wife first.”

Nigel is a keen collector and was able to use the skills he learnt in the forces to fuel his passion. He kept a host of cigarette papers, packets of tobacco, and ring-pulls to include in his art, and even incorporated his love for Burnley Football Club in the form of Claret and Blue ring-pulls.

Living in Lancashire all his life, his passion for art led him to complete a foundation course at UCLan’s Burnley Campus, before moving onto the full-time BA (Hons) course in Preston.