AN appeal has been launched to locate the whereabouts of an artist in the hope of sharing copies of their popular work.

Rossendale Hospice has said it would like to make copies of the unsigned iconic Astoria painting to help raise funds.

Six months ago the painting was donated to the hospice’s shop in Bank Street, Rawtenstall.

The shop manager chose to hang the nostalgic painting above the till and since then numerous people have asked if they could have a copy.

The manager of the shop Karen Embrey said: “We really liked the painting and because it is of local interest we decided not to sell it, but to display it for everyone to see.

“As the weeks went by, lots of customers asked about it and starting sharing their memories of the Astoria. We’d love to have copies made.”

Rawtenstall’s famous Astoria ballrooms were hugely iconic in the 1950s and 60s.

Bands such as The Who and The Kinks played at the big band venue in its heyday.

The dance hall was demolished in 2012 but still holds many memories for a lot of people.

Betty Wright, of the hospice volunteers, who is 83, said she fondly remembers the Astoria.

She said: "As a school child aged about 13 or 14, we’d go to the Astoria for Christmas parties.

"A few years later my mum used to take me on a Thursday evening, she loved dancing and it was where I learnt to dance.

“As an 18-year-old I went with my friend. I remember one of my friends married one of the members of the resident band. I’ve got many memories of the Astoria.”

If you know the artist email fundraising@rossendalehospice.org.