THE PAINTINGS of a Burnley-born artist will adorn tickets for one of the most prestigious games in European club football.

Liam Spencer, 43, who lives and works in Waterfoot, designed the images for the UEFA Cup Final material.

Liam, who was born and brought up in Harle Syke and supports the Clarets, is known for his vivid portrayals of northern urban landscapes.

UEFA delegates saw his work in a Manchester art gallery and asked Liam to design the materials, which range from stadium decoration to websites and match tickets.

Two of the paintings are of the City of Manchester Stadium, where the UEFA Cup Final will be played on Wednesday May 14, 2008.

The other is of cheering football fans.

The designs, created to give a distinctive flavour of the host city, were given a enthusiastic reception by football legend and UEFA Cup Final ambassador Denis Law.

Liam, a former St Theodore's RC High School pupil, said his work was mainly influenced by impresssionists like Paul Cezanne and Henri Matisse.

His worked has been displayed in galleries in Manchester and Salford.

After a fine art degree in Manchester, Liam lived and worked in the city for 10 years before moving to Waterfoot because he wanted to be closer to his home town.

Liam said: "UEFA approached me to do the pictures.

"It was a fully specified brief with various images in mind which were to be used.

"I have done a few football-related paintings in the past and they must have seen them.

"This was a fantastic opportunity because I love football and it's not that often you get to combine what you are passionate about and your work."

Liam, whose work has sold for as much as £15,000, said one of his favourite paintings was of Turf Moor.

The painting is hanging in his son's bedroom, despite a request from Burnley chairman Barry Kilby to buy it.

The father-of-two will have some work displayed at the Huyton Gallery, in Merseyside, from February 18 to May 11.

He has done paintings of New York and is currently working on street scenes in Istanbul, Turkey, after a recent trip.

  • The ballot for the tickets for the final is open now.

Fans can apply for up to two tickets each before 11pm on 16 March on the www.uefa.com website.

Of all the applications, 11,000 tickets will be issued to fans worldwide.

Ticket prices are £35, £55, £75 and £95.