A DARWEN artist has donated a view of ancient Rome to raise funds for women with breast cancer.

Gail Goodson, 52, who specialises in trompe l'oeil or 'trick of the eye' art, has painted an original piece to be auctioned on October 18 at a fundraiser at Mr Fu's, Preston New Road, Blackburn.

Gail, of Springfield Street, sells her work from Oswaldtwistle Mills and since winning a national competition has sold throughout the UK. She decided to donate to Breakthrough Breast Cancer when she discovered that Michelle Hilton, a friend she went to college with, had died from the disease.

Michelle, of Beechwood Drive, Blackburn, battled the disease for seven years and successfully campaigned through the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for the life-enhancing drug Herceptin to be made available on the NHS, but died in October 2001 before she could take it.

Tickets for the auction, priced £15, are available through Tracy Reed who will take on the Women's Great Walk of China in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer later this month.