A veteran stone carver from Ammanford has become a YouTube star at the age of 78.

Ieuan Rees recorded a video to show off his craft in 2012 and didn’t think anything of it.

Seven years later, he is shocked to discover the footage has been viewed 2.2 million times of YouTube with fans calling him an “inspiration”.

The videos have attracted millions of fans of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) which is a static, tingling sensation triggered by certain sounds.

"They love the combination of the sound of my voice, what I had to say from my heart and the sound of the chisel on the slate," Ieuan told BBC.

"That whole combination seems to heal some people. God, it's embarrassing."

The footage features Ieuan rhythmically carving on a tombstone while talking about his trade, teaching and philosophies on life.

After it was posted on YouTube, the footage was re-cut by an editor who makes unintentional ASMR videos and went on to secure cult status.

"A lady from the New York Times sent me an email asking if she could arrange a date for her to ring me to discuss this video, which apparently has had a huge following and it was a total surprise to me in every kind of way.

"I'm not quite sure how to respond to it.”

There are more than 13 million ASMR videos on YouTube including subjects such as people having haircuts, massages and towel-folding tutorials.

Ieuan, a father-of-two, put his online success down to the combination of his "Welsh lilt", the "melodious, wonderful sound of carving" and his "talking from the heart".

His new-found fame has come after a career of producing high-profile works in calligraphy and stone carving.

He designed the logo for the opening titles of TV comedy, the Vicar of Dibley, numerous memorials and various commissions for work on public buildings including the Senedd in Cardiff.

"It is an embarrassment but if I have been blessed with a talent and it gives pleasure to people then perhaps, I should be humble enough and accept that and be grateful that I can do this."