AN Abbots Langley artist is to immortalise the Lord Mayor of London in stained glass.

Petri Anderson, of Rosehill Gardens, is working on the commission for Lord Mayor John Stuttard.

It is customary for the new Lord Mayor to have his portrait painted on canvas, but current Lord Mayor Stuttard will have his created from glass.

Mr Stuttard will enjoy this honour as he is a Court Assistant of The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass, whose records go back to 1328. Work has begun on the portrait, but is expected to take months to complete.

Petri said: "I have done portraits before but it's still a challenge. It takes some work to really bring the likeness through."

Petri, a former physics student, learnt the craft of making stained glass at Chapel Studio in Hunton Bridge, where he completed a four year apprenticeship.

The finished portrait will be unveiled by the Lord Mayor himself at Glaziers Hall near London Bridge in May during the company's annual Prize-giving, and Petri hopes it will start a new trend.

Petri said: "I think once people see it, future Lord Mayors of London will want theirs done too. It's been a great project."