Now expert enameller David Shaw is tackling the tub of one of Britain's most famous poets.

Welsh bard Dylan Thomas enjoyed wallowing in his cast iron bath so much that he even wrote letters while having a soak.

The old tub will take pride of place when historians finish transforming the house where Thomas was born into a museum about his life.

The scratched and grimy bath needs to be scrubbed up before it goes on display in Swansea – and that is where David's specialist skills come in.

David, 41, runs the only workshop on the UK mainland that can re-enamel old tubs such as the late poet's.

Baths are first blasted to remove the old enamel, then put in a 900C furnace to clean them before they get a new coating.

David's unusual expertise has brought him into contact with a few famous names – including royalty.

He said: "I did a bath for Peter Gabriel who used to be in Genesis. He lived on a sprawling estate and I collected the bath but didn't get to meet him.

"I've also done some for Jamie Oliver and a few for Balmoral and Blenheim Palace.

"It's interesting work."

David, of Longridge, near Preston, started his business in Ribchester just over 10 years ago after giving up his job as a painter and decorator.

He and a colleague fix up about 30 old tubs a month, mostly for antique dealers and other specialists.

Anne Haden, who is restoring Thomas' childhood home, said: "David has been great.

"He has even put us in touch with a removal firm who often carry antique furniture worth over £1m so we know the bath is in good hands throughout its adventure."

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