BRADFORD artist Simone Malik has created a clay sculpture of the late Queen Elizabeth after feeling compelled to make a piece of tactile artwork to mark the fond respect she had for Her Majesty.

Simone is an award-winning artist, well known for her portraits although she has also created artwork for the police to use.

Simone said her latest creation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was purely instinctive and created with her own hands showing The Queen at peace, but with a regal persona.

She said: "As an artist I just felt compelled to make a tribute to the life of a remarkable and admirable leader; one who has dedicated her entire existence to the unwavering service of her country. It's only natural when someone precious is lost we don't want to let go.

"Completing my statue bust of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was an attempt to restore her existence through imagery, in my own way, in a 3D format as primarily I am an artist who works with oil paints on canvas and pencils.

"My statue is made out of clay, which has then been painted. All completed by modelling through my hands and basic hand tools. The aim wasn't a very accurate portrait as I have not had any sittings with the Queen, but more of an artist's representation and visual recollection of the Queen from previous years. Her Majesty has reigned a very long time and faces change throughout the years so my final piece captures an over all representation and not a portrait as such.

"Eyes peacefully closed, but with a regal look complete with jewellery - the statue is in every way, the Queen. This piece is the first in a series of statues which I am going to complete of her. She was our Queen. I am Bradford born and bred and she has always been in my life. I was proud she was our Queen. There is a void now and I wanted to do something relatable with my own hands.

Simone, who is related to former One Direction star Zayn Malik, said the Queen's death awakened the need to produce the piece or artwork and that she hopes to create a full size sculpture of Her Majesty as part of a collection she is planning to complete and display in a public exhibition.

She then hopes to donate the collection to a charitable organisation which Queen Elizabeth loved to support.