Patrick Aivazian of London firm Henry Wilson Memorial Masons has taken first place in this year\'s MAB competition for the Most Unusual Memorial with his glass of stout headstone (pictured above) in Chinese Black and Rose White granites.

The competition, which is judged by members of the public, seeks to find the most original memorial in the UK and in doing so aims to raise awareness of the craftsmanship and creativity of masonry and to emphasise that memorials do not only come as standard ogees.

Patrick says the client "wanted a memorial that stood out from the crowd and would best exemplify the deceased\'s character and temperament".

He adds: "This is a unique memorial at our cemetery and we feel it is an appropriate tribute that does not overwhelm other memorials in the vicinity."

Patrick wins £1,000, courtesy of Brent Stevenson Memorials.

Runner up was Simon Richmond of Joseph Richmond & Son in Newcastle Upon Tyne and third place went to Simon Morgan of Mossfords in Cardiff.