A Haworth man who hated woodwork at school is now building a reputation as one of the finest young furniture craftsmen in the country.

Christian Holmes -- known as the Lizard Man of Haworth because all his pieces feature a hand-carved lizard -- began making traditional 17th and 18th century-style furniture two years ago. Now it is selling so well that he has opened a Lizard Oak shop in Haworth's Main Street, near to his workshop, and employed sister Becky to look after it.

Christian, 27, who was born and brought up in Haworth, was educated at Oakbank School. "I didn't like woodwork at all when I was at school," he says.

"But my father was an antiques restorer, and when I left school I started an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker with him because there didn't seem to be much else to do. Now he helps me make my furniture."

Christian's family has been involved with furniture for generations. His great-grandfather used to sell antiques, and dad David was trained in restoration by Gargrave man Bernard Dickinson, who was acknowledged as the best in the north of England.

Christian specialises in 17th and early 18th century-style furniture in oak. "It is all made exactly as it was in the past, using traditional materials and traditional methods," he says. "Everything is hand-carved and because of that each item is individual. What really makes them different is the time and effort put into finishing them -- each item goes through a seven-stage process using a secret formula to give them an authentic period feel and make them look original."

With his carved lizard signature mark, Christian is following in the footsteps of the original Mouse Man of Kilburn, Robert Thompson, who carved a mouse on each of his pieces back in the 19th century.

"My dad came up with the idea of the lizard because it was traditional in the 17th century -- and he had a pet lizard when he was a child," says Christian.

Furniture made by Christian includes a range of three chairs -- the Yorkshire which has a carved back and features the head of Charles I, the Lancashire which is plainer in style, and the Wainscot chair in the style which would traditionally have been used by the master of the house. Prices are £575 each for the Lancashire, £675 for the Yorkshire and £1,650 for the Wainscot.

The range also includes refectory tables at £2,600, Welsh dressers (£3,800) and bases (£2,500), as well as smaller items like spoon racks.

"The pieces take a long time to make and a lot of work goes into them, which makes them quite expensive.

"But I think they are a good investment and they should become the antiques of the future," says Christian.