AN artist from Ramsbottom could have a bright future after his work was selected for a national prize.

Stephen Booth, from Tanners Street, Ramsbottom, entered the PizzaExpress Prospects 2001 art prize which aims to encourage newly-graduated artists.

He said: "I was a joiner for seven years before I decided I didn't want to spend my life in the building trade. I'd always been interested in art so after a bit of travelling I enrolled in art scholl and haven't looked back.

"I'm hoping to launch a career in art, and so far my local delicatessen Taste Connection is exhibiting some of my work, so I really hope to make it in the future."

His picture Study for the Song of the Shirt after Holl is based on a historic painting Song of the Shirt by Victorian artist Frank Holl.

If his work is picked he could win a £10,000, an exhibition in a London gallery, and exposure on Britart.com alongside art greats such as David Hockney and Peter Blake as well as a show at his local PizzaExpress.