LOCAL artist and author Robert Watson is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for underprivileged East Lancashire children by selling limited edition, framed prints.

Robert, of Branch Road, Burnley, spent three months completing Blackburn Heritage in acrylic paint and has included local landmarks like the market and tower.

He said: "It depicts Blackburn on market day and I have included some local legends like Rossi's hot potato stall where everyone used to go."

Robert is now hoping local businesses and art lovers will buy one of just 750 prints to help raise money to take local underprivileged children to Oswaldtwistle's Only Foals and Horses sanctuary or Burnley's Happa Farm.

He went on: "I'm hoping to raise at least £280 to take a group of children out for the day when we look at the animals, paint and draw and get them into a bit of creative writing.

"If I sell them all I will be able to take a different group every day but I don't know how much I will raise yet."

Anyone interested in buying a print can contact Robert on 01282 709348. They are priced £49 with £43 going directly into the fund.

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