AN original painting thought to be worth more than £1,000 is to be the first prize in this year?s Tavistock Lions Christmas draw, thanks to the generosity of a local businessman and artist.
Martin Hawkins, of Tavistock Picture Framing Company, has for the last two years donated a limited edition print to the draw.
But this year Mr Hawkins has gone one better.
Lions spokesman Steve Grummitt said: ?This year he decided to provide an original by a living painter and contacted Plymouth-based Kevin Harris, whose work is often on display in Martin?s gallery.
?Martin considers Kevin to be one of the finest traditional West Country artists even though he has received little formal training, other than attending evening classes at Plymouth Art College.?
Mr Grummitt said he was ?over the moon? with the pastel painting of Sheeps Tor which Kevin has produced and which is on display in the Times office window in Brook Street.
Peter Harding, Tavistock Lions Club president, said he and the club were ?delighted? with the generosity of the donation and confident the draw would exceed the £1,000 raised last year, most of which was distributed to local children?s groups and youth projects.
Tickets for the Christmas draw are available from Lions members, who will be selling them at Safeway in Tavistock during coming weekends, also from the Tavistock Picture Framing Company showroom on Plymouth Road Industrial Estate.
There are many other prizes to be won, including two wooden trucks made by local craftsman Gerry Shepherd.
The draw to find the winner of the painting takes place at the Union Inn, Tavistock, on Monday December 9 at 7.30pm.