Craftsmanship is still alive and well in Norfolk and a young man from King's Lynn has been entrusted with carving the headstone and ledger stone for a new memorial to Edith Cavell, the First World War British nurse.

Letter carver Wayne Hart, 28, beat off international competition to win the job, and is carrying out the work as part of his five-month artist residency at King's Lynn Arts Centre.

The memorial was commissioned by Norwich Cathedral as part of plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Miss Cavell's death.

It was due to be unveiled in the autumn, but a problem with the stone means it won't now be completed until later in the year.

The stones will be placed outside the cathedral where Miss Cavell is buried, and will replace the current grave marker.

Mr Hart said: 'The ledger slab will be on the ground at the foot of the headstone. It will measure 1800 by 1100mm and have the quote on it about patriotism she said just before she was killed.

'The headstone is more complex and it will have her date of birth and death on it. Above that will be the nurses' badge she designed with the edelweiss emblem on it.'

Mr Hart is an award-winning letter carver, typographer and sculptor, who creates beautiful inscriptions, low-relief carving and sculptural forms. He is now drawing the designs for the work, which he will then carve by hand in stone, using mallet and chisel.

Mr Hart was chosen for the commission because the cathedral was impressed by his memorial to writer CS Lewis at Westminster Abbey.

Canon Peter Doll at Norwich Cathedral said: 'The project is to replace the marker that's already there, which does not seem to have kept to the original wishes of the family. Miss Cavell wanted just an ordinary First World War soldier's grave.

'It was our hope it would be finished for the centenary of her death on October 12, but there have been problems with the stone.'

He said a £50,000 grant from the Department of Culture had covered most of the project's costs.

Mr Hart grew up in East Winch, near King's Lynn, studied graphics at the College of West Anglia and then went on to Reading University.

People can watch him carrying out the work at the White Barn, at Lynn Arts Centre, Tuesdays to Fridays, from 10am to 2pm, or Saturdays, 10am to 4pm.

Have you been entrusted with a very important job? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk