Micro artworks valued at £11.2m

Mr Wigan has said his Snow White creation is among his favourites

An artist from Birmingham who makes tiny sculptures which can fit into the eye of a needle has sold his collection to entrepreneur David Lloyd.

Willard Wigan is known for his painstaking care, working between heartbeats to avoid hand tremors.

His work is normally only visible through a microscope and includes sculptures of Elvis and Snow White.

Mr Lloyd, who captained Britain's Davis Cup tennis team, has had the works insured for £11.2m.

Other works by Mr Wigan include a miniature model of Auguste Rodin's The Thinker - fitted on a pin head - and a model of The Last Supper, complete with 12 disciples.

He uses a tiny surgical blade to carve sculptures out of rice and sugar, and paints using an eyelash as a brush.

Willard Wigan has learning difficulties and cannot read or write

Mr Wigan, who has learning difficulties and cannot read or write, says that as a child he used his art to express himself.

He told BBC News in 2005: "Being a child I used to start making houses for ants because I thought they needed somewhere to live.

"I lived in a fantasy world and I thought they needed shoes and hats."

Former tennis star Mr Lloyd has captained the British Davis Cup team and became a leading figure in the Lawn Tennis Association.

He has sold his branded leisure club businesses for more than £300m and it was at his tennis schools that Tim Henman learned his trade.

The remainder of Mr Wigan's collection is to go on show at a gallery in Birmingham's Mailbox.