A FORMER Greenhill Comprehensive School pupil has been selected to exhibit his work in the prestigious UK-wide Broomhill National Sculpture Prize.

Lee Odishow, also a former degree student and current employee at Coleg Sir Gâr's Jobs Well campus, has had his work shortlisted in the final 10 of the competition, which means his work will be exhibited in the summer exhibition at the Broomhill sculpture gardens in June.

The overall winner will be chosen in September by a judging panel consisting of internationally-renowned artists and sculptors, including the owners of the Devon-based sculpture gardens.

The Broomhill prize aims to provide a platform for younger or emerging artists in the UK in their last year of education or within 10 years of graduating from a recognised school of art. The winner's piece will become part of the Broomhill Art and Sculpture Foundation and the winner will also receive a cash prize.

Lee currently works within the learning support team at Coleg Sir Gâr where he graduated with a BA honours in sculpture in 2004.

"I've helped other people with large-scale work, but this is my first large-scale outdoor sculpture," said the artist. "My piece, which is currently untitled, is a figurative form, loosely based on ancient burial techniques and the main body of the piece is made from around 300lbs of cast iron with a 'face' that is cast in bronze."

Lee currently works with students within the sculpture section of the art-based college campus which is one of the only facilities of its kind in the UK for iron casting. He cast the body of the piece at the sixth International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art which was held at the Kidwelly Industrial Museum last year and cast the bronze face at the college facility.

Head of sculpture, Andy Griffiths, said: "The department has very strong international links with Kansas State University and Kidwelly was chosen for the international conference because of its history in metal casting and the existing university exchange links between the two establishments. I'm keen to see Lee do well in this prize and I am very proud of his achievements so far. This is a particularly specialised area of sculpture and with Lee's knowledge and ability as an artist in his own right; he does a fantastic job of supporting our students in their studies."

Lee Odishow continued: "I normally shy away from any limelight, but I've got to say that I do feel proud to have been chosen in the final 10 for this prize and it's given me confidence to explore more large-scale pieces in my future work."