AN artist who drew a picture of a butterfly when he was ten-years-old will be reunited with the teacher who inspired him to do it.

Robert Haworth, of Parker Street, Preston, plans to meet retired art teacher Charles Golder, 78, who, he claims, helped him to develop his artistic talent.

The 30-year-old, who lost his memory after suffering two nervous breakdowns when he was 13 and 16 years old, can still recall drawing a pink butterfly in Mr Golder's art class at a care home, near Blackburn, where Robert was a resident.

Now, in a twist of fate, Mr Golder's son, Peter, who has a passion for butterflies, plans to display some of Robert's work in his own Butterfly Exhibition at Blackburn Museum.

Robert said: "I went into my friend's house and he showed me a picture he had got from a Cantonese restaurant in Manchester.

"It wasn't until the next day I realised it was mine. I went back and told him I'd drawn it and so I picked up a pencil and started drawing. It was bizarre.

"I remembered about the pink butterfly and about Mr Golder who helped me."

Since then Robert has drawn and painted hundreds of pictures of butterflies as well as sculpting and expressionist painting.

He has had his work shown in galleries across the North West but, he says, he will never forget Mr Golder.

"He always encouraged me. He was my idol. I really looked up at him and it will be really emotional to see him again," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it and can't believe I'll see him."

The reunion was sparked by Mr Golder's granddaughter, Lynn, 26, who was curious about her grandfather's work as a teacher and his memories of Robert.

Peter said: "Once I heard about Robert I wanted to get in contact with him.

"We only met a few weeks ago and we've got on really well and my father is really looking forward to meeting him."