AN art lecturer has pulled off a master-stroke by securing a place at a coveted exhibition.

Working artist and Blackburn College lecturer Richard Cross has landed a spot in the world’s largest contemporary art show the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Richard’s oil painting Thin Red Line is now going to be one of the pieces that have made it into the exhibition, which has displayed works from famous artists such as Tracey Emin.

His painting is part of a series of landscapes based on the area of Lancashire where he lives and works. More than 11,000 artists vied for a place at the exhibition.

Richard’s work will be hung in Gallery V, which focuses particularly on landscape pieces.

Richard, from Clitheroe, has a studio in Blackburn town centre and has previously had works displayed in the Royal Overseas League, Laing Art Competition, Northern Young Contemporaries, and exhibitions at Christies and the Royal Festival Hall in London.

A teacher of fine Art and Drawing at the College for over 20 years, he said: “I’m thrilled to be included the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

“The subject of this painting is the place I regularly go to walk my dog and is just outside of Clitheroe.

“The ‘Thin Red Line’ refers to the rust coloured side of the Manchester to Clitheroe railway line that cuts across the picture in front of Longridge Fell and Kemple End in the background.

“I work full-time therefore I’m not under any particular pressure to sell work, I only paint places I’m very familiar with and that I encounter as part of my everyday routine. If people like them that’s a bonus.”

Richard’s work has also appeared in the ‘500 Portraits’ book which celebrated 25 years of the National Portrait Gallery’s annual BP Portrait Award.

The portrait of himself was one of 50 selected from over 3,000 entries to appear in the book.

Principal, Ian Clinton, said: “This is a very significant achievement for Richard and the college.

"It highlights the very high calibre of our tutors.”

The Summer Exhibition is open until August 12.