OIL paintings by a Burnley artist now hang side by side with some of the world's best works of art after being snapped up for a private collection in the USA.

Five pictures by 32-year-old Liam Spencer are now part of the Reader's Digest exhibition at its headquarters in Pleasantville, New York. The collection includes paintings by Matisse, Cezanne, Monet, Manet and Degas.

A friend with contacts in the USA persuaded art lovers from Reader's Digest to take a look at Liam's work, and they were impressed. They paid around £350 for each painting.

"It is wonderful to think that my paintings have been included in such a renowned private collection," said Liam, who is now based at his Manchester studio. His parents, Alan and Philomena, live at Lanehead.

"It's quite a thrill to think they're in the same collection as paintings by some of the greats."

The former St Theodore's pupil is returning to Burnley on April 21 for an exhibition at Towneley Hall. The gallery has commissioned a new work, for which Liam will be painting a picture of the hall and grounds over the next few weeks.

The exhibition, Liam's first in Burnley, will comprise about 40 oil paintings of Manc- hester, done during the past two years.

His entry into the Reader's Digest collection is not his first taste of success. He has also sold paintings to pop art supremo Bridget Riley, who was so impressed that she agreed to write a piece to be included in the catalogue for the Burnley exhibition.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.