Three blacksmiths have joined forces to show there is more to their craft than horseshoes and garden gates.

Paul Wells, Mark Willis and Nick Whitely, all 35, have set up a workshop and formed the Farm Road Ironwork Co-operative.

They moved into the Hove premises in March and, although they are still setting up, the commissions are rolling in.

Working with traditional methods, the trio intend to use their knowledge of decorative art to create objects as diverse as furniture, jewellery, street fittings and spiral staircases.

Paul explained: "We will make everything you can imagine, from a corner post for a gate to a three-piece-suite.

"A lot of people think blacksmithing is all about making tongs for fireplaces and the odd hanging basket but it's anything but.

"All our work is very different. We are each coming at it from different angles but we can offer each other new points of view as well as the customer."

The three met through the National School for Blacksmithing and Equine Studies in Hereford.

Paul, who finished his training last year, was a pupil of Nick's and did work experience with Mark.

All three came upon blacksmithing relatively late in life, having already tried out a variety of other careers.

Paul was a painter and decorator before joining the blacksmithing college; Nick was training to be a doctor when he decided to give up his training to become a street performer and then a blacksmith; Mark was a social worker.

Paul said: "Because we're all 35, we joke that we're all coming up to a mid-life crisis. I think we turned to blacksmithing at this age because it gets out the aggression."

The blacksmith co-operative has already caught the attention of David Power, drummer from Indie band James, who has commissioned a spiral staircase for his home in Wrexham.

Mark said: "He had been looking for a spiral staircase and heard about us from friends. He has chosen quite an unusual design."

As well as offering a design service, the co-operative will encourage customers to take advantage of their knowledge of cutting-edge styles.

Paul said: "We'll try to encourage clients to take a chance.

"We were taught at college that blacksmithing almost died out about 50 or 60 years ago so new ideas are essential."

Paul has been searching for their tools of the trade for six months in an effort to ensure quality and durability in their finished products.

Steel, wrought iron, copper, aluminium and brass will be used along with antique salvaged items.

He said: "Any furniture we make will last for as long as the owner's lifetime.

"For example, we galvanise garden furniture to protect it from the salty Brighton air.

"In fact, because of the methods we use, we can guarantee anything we make will last for virtually 400 years."