AN EAST Lancashire politician has been immortalised in a new portrait that forms the centre-piece of a new exhibition.

The likeness of newly re-elected Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has been caught by artist John Rotherham who first embarked on the project before Christmas.

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The soft pastel work was unveiled at a special event at John’s studio at Bashall Barn in Bashall Eaves at the weekend in front of local councillors and business leaders.

The pastel portrait is the product of three weeks of studio work which followed an initial sitting session with an hour of photo taking to capture his features.

An exhibition is being staged at the rural studio until the end of the month with the portrait forming the main attraction.

Discussions are ongoing between the artist and Mr Evans to determine what will happen to the work once the show has concluded.

The Clitheroe artist, who set up the studio in February last year with his partner Cassandra Batterby, hit the headlines in October after painting racehorse According to Pete for his owners.

The horse suffered a broken leg in the 2012 Grand National and had to be put down.

John, 47, who lives in Waddington Road, Clitheroe, said: “I’m pleased with the result and the reaction at the launch.

“Nigel was very generous with his time and I’m glad that he liked it so much .

“I wanted to capture someone who was very well known in the Ribble Valley and who better than the MP.

“Going forward I would love to do David Cameron’s portrait.

“Nigel gave me complete creative freedom for this project.

“I showed him some preliminary sketches but after that the finished work was a complete surprise to him.”

Mr Evans said: “I think John has done a fantastic job and has caught me at my pensive best.

“ When it was unveiled I said that he had got all of my lines but you can’t do this job for 23 years and not have a few.”