Craftsman Makes Shining Silver Dome

Here's one Millennium Dome that SHOULD make some money!

This exquisite scale model of the London landmark has been crafted by a firm of gold and silversmiths.

Much of it is made from silver and it's been commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers for the Joint Services Command and Staff College.

The mini-Dome took 33 hours to make,and most of the work was done by 33-year-old silversmith David Martin.

Peter Aylwin,owner of the company,said "It is a prestigious piece of work.We might make a small profit out of it,but it's been a brilliant venture."

The dome will become a trophy which will be awarded to the best student in the advanced command and staff course.

"They wanted something which was a symbol of the Millennium and so of course the Dome is an outstanding choice" he added.

He said it had been an exacting piece of work which showed what "amazing" skill and architecture has gone into the real Dome."Its sheer simpilicity is beautiful" he said.

The mini Dome is accurate right down to the satinised silver depicing the windows.The great masts are in silver gilt,showing the silver polished roof to full advantage.