'Dream come true' for Oscar-nominated sculptor

A sculptor from Warrington has told how he went from collecting mud from canals in his hometown to an Oscar nomination in Hollywood.

Mike Hill has been nominated for best make-up and hair styling for director Guillermo del Toro's film Frankenstein.

The 56-year-old make-up artist, who used to collect clay for his masks from canal banks in Warrington when aged five, created the monster in the Hollywood film.

Commenting on his nomination, the former roofer said: "It's a dream come true". The Oscars take place on Sunday night in LA.

Speaking about his journey from Cheshire to Tinseltown, Hill said: "I don't really think about it now because it's just every day for me."

He said his "passion" had been making models from a very young age, and told BBC Breakfast: "When I was a little boy, about five-years old, I would walk to the canal.

"I would dig under the dirt - I don't know how I knew this - to get to the clay.

"And then I would make a menagerie of these creatures - Frankensteins, King Kongs and Wolf Men.

"Since I can remember, I've been into this stuff."

Hill got his big break in his 20s when he was recruited by Jeremy Beadle to make disguises for his hidden camera TV show Beadles About.

He moved to LA 20 years ago and Benicio del Toro became a regular customer for his monster designs.

Australian star Jacob Elordi has also been nominated for the best supporting actor Oscar for Frankenstein.

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