AN amateur artist is putting one of his paintings up for 'silent auction' to raise money for a defibrillator at Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington.

Nigel Airey's work Enchanted Forest, which draws on the style of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, is on display at the gallery in Bell Corridor until March 6.

Visitors can make a secret bid for the original painting and at the end of the exhibition the highest bid will be revealed with the proceeds going to the Friends of Haworth Art Gallery to help them buy the life-saving equipment for the visitor attraction.

Originally from Mill Hill, Blackburn, Mr Airey has lived in Rishton for over 40 years. He is married to Val, with grown-up children, and grandchildren ranging from 22 to 1.

A member of Accrington Camera Club, he has always been interested in painting and photography and was able to devote himself to his artistic interests after he retired from working in IT.

His style is varied, but he admires the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, British artist Edward Wesson, Surrealist Salvador Dali and photographer Stephen Wilkes.