Renowned sculptor John Doubleday has met many interesting figures in the course of his work.

However, the late Nelson Mandela was one who left the biggest impression.

Mr Doubleday, of Great Totham, met the giant of South African politics in 1996.

“He is the only politician I have met who didn’t want power,” he said.

“We talked about that and he said he accepted the presidency because people had asked him to an he felt he had something to contribute.

“That wasn’t vanity or lust for power.

“How he described it to me was he was in a position to pour a small cup of water on an ember that could turn into a raging fire."