A monumental mason who trained at a Cheltenham workshop 42 years ago has returned to the place where he carved his first letters in stone - but this time he's the boss.

Chris Ransome, the managing director of Ransome Memorials Ltd, started out as an apprentice stonemason for Emms in Hales Road, Cheltenham in 1976, working under the guidance of Robin Paul.

He then launched his own company in Stonehouse and has served customers all over the Stroud area and the Cotswolds ever since.

When the Cheltenham premises recently became available, Chris, 58, couldn't resist the opportunity to go back to his roots.

"It's like coming full circle to be working in Cheltenham again where, as a teenager fresh from school, I carved my first letters in stone," said Chris.

"This time I'll be working alongside a very talented young monumental mason Henry Skayman, who has had ten years' experience with my company.

"We'll be bringing to Cheltenham the same high level of craftsmanship and personal customer service that our customers in Stroud and the Cotswolds have enjoyed for over 30 years.

"It's particularly poignant that Kevin Paul, the son of the man who trained me, has been in touch and wished us all the best with the company expansion to Cheltenham."

During his career, Ransome has carved inscriptions on thousands of gravestones and memorial plaques and has had some prestigious and unusual commissions.

GCHQ commissioned him to create a beautiful stone plaque, honouring the code-breakers who did such sterling work at Bletchley Park during the war.

He has also hand-lettered war memorials in local towns and villages.

His company has also created touching memorials for much-loved pets and animals - including a gravestone for a horse which was buried in the owner's back garden.

Chris's company is in competition with monumental masonrycompanies which machine-cut stones in central depots.

In contrast, his company specialises in offering a personal service to bereaved customers.

"We don't just take an order, we offer a bespoke and empathetic service to our customers from the first discussions and advice to carving and fixing memorials in their final resting places.

"With over 40 years' experience in the trade, we are well placed to give the best advice and our customers appreciate it," Ransome said.

The new branch of Ransome Memorials Ltd at 23 Hales Road, Cheltenham has opened for business this week.