Hand-crafted helmet fit for a prince

ROYAL CREATION: Carterton artist Trevor Lamb created a World War I aviation helmet replica for Prince George.

"He might take a while to grow into it" but Prince George has been gifted a leather aviation helmet made by Carterton artist Trevor Lamb.

The Royal couple visited the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim on Thursday, minus Prince George, but were given the child-sized aviation helmet as a souvenir for their boy.

Lamb suspects he was given the commission because the aviation centre wanted to gift something more than the standard Buzzy Bee.

"Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a Buzzy Bee, but this is more unique."

The helmet, made out of deerskin leather, hand dyed with a possum-fur inlay, should be comfortable for the Prince once he grows into it, he said.

What's more, the helmet is a genuine replica of a World War I pilot's helmet - Mr Lamb avoided the temptation of adding a Royal touch.

He said the replica was particularly special considering the approaching Centennial of World War I.

Lamb handcrafts each helmet with pride and "never wants to step up to mass production" in case he loses his originality.

He has been in the crafting industry for 20 years - making specialist leather costumes for the Hobbit movies and more general leather work including belts and bags.

When asked about his reasoning for getting into this kind of work, he said: "I didn't have a job".

Mr Lamb operates out of the business Carterton Leather and Arts.