A SELF taught portrait artist has had a royal brush with fame.

Language teacher Kathy Collier painted an oil of the Queen for a national competition, then decided to donate it to her school, Leigh St Mary's RC High, Astley, to celebrate the golden jubilee.

The painting received so much praise that she has sent a copy to HRH and is awaiting a reply.

French and Spanish teacher Kathy has been commissioned to paint portraits since 1985, but the unexpected result of the royal work has seen her inundated with requests.