A FASCINATING new look at Huddersfield has been unveiled.

A special work of art has been created by local woodcarvers for the people of Kirklees' French twin town, Besançon.

The carved wood panel features 25 scenes and landmarks associated with Kirklees, such as Castle Hill, Scammonden Dam and the Turnbridge.

The panel - which has taken 12 months to make - was unveiled at Huddersfield Town Hall yesterday, when Kirklees Mayor Clr Margaret Fearnley held a reception for the people who created it.

The panel will be presented as a civic gift to Besançon, to mark the 50th anniversary of its twinning links with Kirklees.

It will be presented to the Mayor of Besançon at Huddersfield Town Hall on October 7, when he will also receive the Freedom of the Borough from Clr Fearnley on behalf of the people of Besançon.

Clr Fearnley said: "The carving epitomises what Kirklees is all about.

"The people of Besançon will be delighted to receive this work of art."

Some of the carvers were studying the art of carving through the Huddersfield University of the Third Age.

Others had started on a course run by Huddersfield Technical College - but part way through the project the college stopped the course.

The carvers have now set up their own group, the Independent Woodcarvers' Group, which meets each Wednesday at All Saints' High School at Bradley Bar.

Mike Hadfield, speaking on behalf of all the carvers, said: "Producing the panel has been a very rewarding challenge for this group of enthusiastic woodcarvers.

"We were all delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to marking 50 years of friendship with the people of Besançon.

"Some were quite new to carving and enjoyed developing their skills alongside very experienced carvers.

"All put in many hours of work."

Margaret Myatt, of Brighouse, carved a panel featuring Lockwood viaduct.

She has only been carving for 12 months.

She was on the Technical College course but is now a member of the Independent Woodcarvers' Group.

She said: "It took me about three months to finish my panel because I haven't been carving for very long.

"It was quite a challenge."

Graeme Richardson, who carved a panel featuring men playing rugby, has been carving for 15 years.

He said: "It was the first time I had carved relief work. So I said give me something easy - and they gave me rugby!"

The carved panel is to hang in Huddersfield Art Gallery for a month before being sent to Besançon.