Corfe Castle's pelican carvings

The pelican is a Christian symbol, usually seen in churches

Student and volunteer stonemasons have created ornate carvings at Corfe Castle.

They have been inspired by an ancient carved pelican discovered onsite during recent conservation work.

Two of the team are from Weymouth College's department of Masonry and Conservation.

The three volunteers are from the Burngate Stone Centre, which is part of the Purbeck Keystone Project, run by the District Council.

The Purbeck Keystone Project is a three year project that aims to supporting farming, stone working and outdoor education on the Isle of Purbeck.

The Project started work in October 2006.

All five members of the carving team have been using chisels, stone working tools and their skills to create pelicans at the castle, like the one discovered on the East Wall of the ruins in 2008.

Religious symbol

The pelican has deep religious connotations.

Its apparent self-sacrifice in caring for its young made it an appropriate symbol to represent Christ the Redeemer [the pelican was believed to wound itself in order to feed its young, with its own blood].

It is usually portrayed in carvings with its wings back and head down - representing a cross.

When finished, the carvings will go on display at Corfe Castle

Pam White, the Community Learning and Volunteering Officer at Corfe Castle, said: "The pelican was a common symbol in churches and cathedrals.

"But this, as far as I can find out, is the only one that's ever been found in a Norman Castle.

"It shows that when Corfe Castle was built it was a very significant seat of power - up there among the top five or six in Britain."

Visitors have been "intrigued" by the sights and sounds of the recent carvings.

Pam said: "The sound of chisel on stone has been really evocative, echoing around the ruins.

"Plenty of visitors have had a go, themselves, at carving."

Once the carvings are complete they will count towards the coursework of the student volunteers.

All five pelicans, three made from Purbeck Inland Freestone and two from Bath limestone, will also go on show within the castle grounds, at the visitor centre or visitor reception throughout winter.