An astonishing model of the biblical temple of Jerusalem was a labour of love for retired Waveney Valley farmer and Methodist lay preacher, Alec Garrard, who has died aged 80.

He spent a quarter of a century researching the 36-acre acre complex, which was built on the orders of King Herod, to make the 1:100 scale model. The Temple, one of the most important buildings in the classical world was destroyed by the Roman legions in 70AD just six years after it had been completed.

Mr Garrard started the project around 1980 at his then 50-acre Moat Farm, Fressingfield. First the temple building took shape, which has marble effect pillars, lavish gold-work and scale models of the immense gates, which took 20 men to open.

He expanded it over the years to cover courtyards, chambers, halls, administrative buildings, porches, walls and staircases.

His masterpiece, which was made out of wood, also had an estimated 100,000 tiny bricks, all hand-made from modelling clay and baked on a small stove.

He made more than 3,500 small individual figures, each about three-quarters of an inch high, which are handpainted in their appropriate clothes, made out of tissue paper.

He made the model of Herod's Temple as true to life as possible and spent years researching the background and became an acknowledged expert. Although the Temple is often mentioned in the Bible, there were no drawings or plans to copy. Although archaeological research has helped, he pieced together snippets of information and talked to religious and archaeological experts around the world.

Many of the scenes depicted aspects of the life of Jesus. 'I have got Jesus 16 times on the model and no one has ever been able to find all of them,' he told the EDP in 1998, when the project was largely completed.

And seen at ground level, the vast temple site can be pulled apart to reveal hundreds more little people and further biblical scenes.

A talented artist, his debut exhibition of 43 paintings at Stradbroke in October 1965, featured scenes of Suffolk countryside and wildlife. 'I was always making models, from the time I could walk; intricate things like aeroplanes and ships,' he said.

His connection with the Church led to the idea of making a model of the temple in Jerusalem where many of the Gospel stories of Jesus are set. He also ran a Christian centre in Harleston for many years.

The fame of his model has spread world-wide and his book, The Splendour of the Temple included dozens of colour photographs.

Thousands of visitors, including many school parties, have seen the model over the years and it was displayed at a Harleston gallery for some time. With his death at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, the model exhibition has now been closed permanently, at the family's request, which will make arrangements to find it a new home.

He leaves a widow, Kathleen, three daughters, Heather, Jane and Sally, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A private burial service will be held at Fressingfield Baptist Church followed by a memorial service at Harleston Methodist Church on October 14 at 2pm.

Michael Pollitt