WHO would have thought that a man living in Bucks could export his snail to France, the country famed for its escargots.

Michael Cooper's snail weighs three tons and is made of black fossil marble.

At the moment it's taken up residence in Michael's garden at Bennett End, but will leave for its permanent home just outside Paris in April.

Michael was commissioned to produce the impressive sculpture for a Parissiene retail village.

His work already graces Bicester retail village, where a big black grizzly bear sculpture is set on a pedestal at the heart of the centre.

Michael, 56, has worked at his art for the past 30 years, but it wasn't part of his original plan.

He recalls: "I lived in Buckinghamshire when I was quite small, but after leaving school I went to look after my father's farm in Donegal. During the long winter evenings I started woodcarving.

"When I came back to London I worked under the portrait sculptor Anthony Gray and after two years I was hooked. I also spent a year in a stonemason's yard which taught me a lot about techniques and materials."

He then decided to go solo as a sculptor and came to Bennett End 26 years ago, to a remote house with lovely views, a white peacock, ducks, chickens, a lurcher, a light and airy studio and a delightful garden.

He says: "My partner is in charge of the garden but she allows me to do the digging."

Some of Michael's sculptures are large works of art, like the pair of lions created for Lord Hanson's garden in Palm Springs, a four-ton gorilla for Lord Carrington's sculpture garden, an eight-foot marble sailfish at Fort Lauderdale, and a five-foot troubadour for Hong Kong.

Others are coffee table sculptures of animals or a woman's head.

While his work is often seen in galleries and exhibitions, it gets its most evocative exposure at his partner's restaurant, the Sir Charlies Napier restaurant at Spriggs Alley, near Radnage. Here you'll find bronze and marble sculptors of all sizes, from a camel hogging the fire in the lounge to a delightful hippo on one of the tables. A woman's torso hovers over the dining room, a gorilla gramaces from the bar.

Surrounded by all the flowers and comforts of a top restaurant, the sculptures really beg to be taken home. It's obviously a great way to reach potential new clients.

Michael says he doesn't spend time with the London arty set, nor does he pander to the latest whim of art fashion.

"Between commissions I do what I like, which is often animals. It's always better to follow your own route. Then your work has a heart to it.

"Working with organic material feeds you back. I think I work instinctively rather than cerebrally.

"Sometimes you get stuck, a bit like writer's block. The materials helps. One forms a partnership with it."

To produce the snail, Michael went to a Belgian quarry to choose the marble in the ground which was then quarried for him.

The six-ton slab was brought to his garden studio. Now complete, it will be lifted by a truck and crane and Michael will accompany it to its French home to ensure it is positioned exactly right.

He is never short of ideas or inspiration. And he has no problem keeping motivated: "You can always do better. It's a privilege to be able to do what one loves doing."