A Sussex blacksmith has won a contract to build a wrought iron rose arbour and pergola for a Japanese museum.

This is not the first time East Chiltington-based GW Day & Co has been asked to make an ornamental piece for Japan.

Last year the firm made a set of large ornamental gates for an English garden being built for a university.

The arbour and pergola are destined for the Tiffany Museum in Matsue.

The museum is creating an English garden and the Japanese company, Nihon Sign, has placed orders with six English companies for different features of the garden.

An unusual aspect of the commission is the Japanese wanted it to be made of genuine wrought iron as opposed to mild steel.

David Cox, a partner in the company, said: "Wrought iron is rarely used nowadays - usually only on stately homes and similar buildings.

"It costs about 16 times more than mild steel."

The arbour is 4.4 metres in diameter and 3.3 metres high. The pergola has nine arches and is 20 metres long.

Both pieces are due to be exported next month.