A carpenter has spread Christmas cheer through his love of woodwork after transforming wooden pallets into Santa’s sleigh.

Nigel Chambers had to give up his job as a heavy machine operator in 1982 following a series of seizures.

The 60-year-old was then given a second chance by Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC), a social enterprise run by the Royal British Legion Institute in Aylesford.

Coventry-based Pooling Partners, Europe’s leading manufacturer of sustainable wooden pallets, commissioned the work ahead of the festive period.

Mr Chambers, who is now employed as a supervisor, said: “BBMC has done a lot for me. They gave me a job when I thought I was unemployable and they introduced me to my wife, Julia, who works in the factory’s sales office.”

BBMC is run by the RBLI and employs a high number of former service personnel and individuals with disabilities.

In total, the company employs more than 120 staff – 70% of whom are either veterans, have a disability, or both.

Pooling Partners, which manufactured 20 million units this year, wanted to show how to deliver products both sustainably and cost-effectively as part of a circular economy model that reduces wasted miles and prevents delivery trucks running empty.

Phil Storer, UK and Ireland director at Pooling Partners, said: “The supply chain at Christmas peak is critical for all retailers, but increasingly they need to do it both economically and sustainably without impacting the environment or adding to congestion.

“We work collaboratively with our clients as part of their war on waste, so we felt it right to commission these works to get a very serious message across in a fun way.

“The guys at RBLI have once again delivered excellent examples of their creativity.

“And we say a special thank-you to Nigel Chambers, who is the supervisor at the BBMC’s pallet division.”