A WOOD turner from Haltwhistle is using his creative skills in a bid to save dolphins from captivity in Asia.

Retired building maintenance surveyor John Nixon enjoys using his jig saw to make sculptures at his workshop.

But after becoming inspired by an awareness campaign launched by his teenage grandson Ben Nixon, John found himself making a series of model dolphins.

Ben, an accomplished skateboarder, is opposed to the captivity of dolphins for use in dolphin shows abroad.

His online campaign, Skaters Against Slaughter, now has a global following, and T-shirts have been sent to supporters in Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Hawaii, and the USA.

The campaign calls for an end to the capture of dolphins in the Japan town of Taiji, with those deemed suitable for shows facing a life of captivity, while others are slaughtered for their meat.

In July, John’s impressive collection of dolphin sculptures, made using local hardwoods, went on display during an awareness-raising exhibition at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church in Haltwhistle.

After eight weeks, the collection, including an A4-sized framed wall carving, was sent abroad to boost the campaign.

John said: “I was inspired by Ben’s campaign and realised that I could put my skills to good use.

“I made some dolphin sculptures, and also some sculptures featuring dolphins and skateboarders.

“They were well received, but now they have been sent abroad and hopefully will help the campaign.”

Live dolphinarium shows in the UK were banned 25 years ago.

Ben’s campaign, Skaters Against Slaughter, can be found at: skatersagainstslaughter on Instagram, Sk8rsvSlaughter on Twitter, and at skatersagainstslaughter.org