A BURNLEY-born sculptor who has exhibited extensively across the country has donated one of her favourite pieces of work to Towneley Hall.

Vivien Whitaker’s work involves using the last remaining pieces of English alabaster.

She has donated her ‘Swan Preening’ piece to the art gallery as a way of saying ‘thankyou’ to the hall.

Mrs Whitaker is a former pupil of Burnley High School and her mum, Gladys, still lives in Padiham.

The artist, who now lives in the Peak District, said: “I started studying art while in Burnley and Towneley Hall was the first art gallery I ever visited, so this was a way of saying 'thank you for the inspiration'.

“This is the last of the English alabaster and I wanted people to be able to see it and enjoy it in different parts of the country.”

After leaving Burnley High School, Vivien gained a first class BA (Hons) degree in art and design, and then trained with renowned sculptor Peter Hibbard.

She is now an elected member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, and her pieces sell for thousands of pounds a time.

Mrs Whitaker works extensively with English alabaster, but the mines where the stone is taken from are now almost depleted.

Ken Darwen, museum manager at Towneley Hall, said: “Vivien was keen to donate a piece of her work to Towneley Hall and we are delighted to be able to show it.

“Displaying the work of local artists is what Towneley Hall is all about.

“We hope people will come and enjoy Vivien’s work.”