THE Watchet artist behind an enormous art installation commemorating the end of the First World War has been praised by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Rob Heard from Watchet in West Somerset has single-handedly create the Shrouds of the Somme out of 72,396 individual shrouded figures which are currently on display in London's Olympic Park.

In a personal letter to Rob, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Your painstaking work crafting 72,396 figures for the ‘Shrouds of the Somme’ installation has resulted in a truly moving piece of art that is a poignant tribute to the terrible sacrifices of the First World War.

"In the centenary year of the Armistice, your work with the ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’ and ‘SSAFA’ is ensuring remembrance of the conflict and providing invaluable support to those who have served our country.”

Rob began creating the figures to deal with the depression and injuries received in a severe car accident, and contextualise his injuries with those of British service personnel in past and present conflicts.

With donations from a crowdfunded campaign and support from the ‘Commonwealth War Graves Commission’, Rob has created all 72,396 figures to match the names of the fallen in their digital archive.

Each figure is 30cm long, hand-stitched in a shroud, and stacked together to form a trench-like structure covering 4,000 square metres.

Rob’s previous installations have been displayed in Salisbury, Belfast, Exeter and Bristol, with the final installation taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this November expecting to be seen by over 150,000 visitors. Donations to the project and profits from the sale of the figures are supporting the ‘SSAFA Armed Forces Charity’ and the ‘Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.’

Rob is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

Rob said: “I am delighted to receive the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award. I have had so much help from so many to get to this point and see the Shrouds laid out in London, it is just incredible. Those men who gave their lives so long ago deserve to be remembered.”