ARTIST Alastair Nicholson put pen to paper when he wanted to get to know people better at work.

In fact he put pen, pencils and crayons to paper to draw his new friends.

Mr Nicholson (pictured) is a day centre officer at the council-run Stansfeld Street Centre in Blackburn where he works with adults with learning difficulties.

And a series of drawings he has done of people visiting the centre is on display at Blackburn Library.

Mr Nicholson, 44, of Granville Road, Blackburn, studied art at college many years ago and still teaches pottery and craftwork locally as well as working in arts and crafts at the Stansfeld Centre, Blackburn. He said: "It takes me about 20 minutes to do a portrait and I find it is a really good way of saying hello and getting to know someone.

"I'm not a fast drawer so while I am doing the portrait I really get chance to chat to my subject. Drawing someone can be a very personal thing but everyone I have drawn at the Stansfeld Centre has liked the finished work."

The portraits have been completed over about three years and 18 of Mr Nicholson's best works are on show on the first floor of the library until September 7.

Mr Nicholson added: "I am still drawing at the day centre and there are plenty more portraits for another exhibition!"