TWO gifted Ramsbottom painters will be making an exhibition of themselves in the nicest way possible this month.

Mrs Elaine Clarkson, of Heatherside Road, and Mr Nigel Hitchen of Victoria Street, will both have works on show at the British Watercolour Society's summer exhibition, being staged at Ilkley between June 10-18.

The Society, formed back in 1911, holds four shows a year to recognise the best watercolour artists in the whole of Britain.

Between 5,000 and 8,000 people regularly attend the event, which displays more than 1,000 paintings.

For Elaine, pictured putting the finishing touches to a stunning multi-coloured floral painting, this will be the second successive year her art work has gone on show.

The 50-year-old former designer, married with a son, began painting flowers and still life just two years ago.

She was given an award for merit last year and currently holds the Bolton Art Circle Jubilee Trophy for best picture. Elaine said: "This is a very prestigious event and I am really excited about it. It gives me a great thrill to be able to do something that I love so much."

Nigel (40), who is regularly found in the Lake District, produces pictures that seem to go on for as long as the mountains themselves.

Painting has been the main hobby for the Ramsbottom Fire Brigade member for the last 20 years.

In the past, his landscape watercolours have been on show at the Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington.

But he says that this event will be his greatest painting achievement to date.