A PAINTING of 1950s Accrington is to be featured on a charity Christmas card.

The wintry scene by artist John Chapman will be used on the front of cards from the East Lancashire Hospice, with all proceeds from their sale going directly to the charity.

The painting, in acrylics, features Blackburn Road on a winter's morning with the Town Hall as a focal point. It also shows cars and buses of a type that would have been seen in Accrington during those times.

It is the fourth of John's pieces to have been used on cards for the hospice.

Last year a pre-war scene of King William Street, Blackburn, helped sell a total of 10,000 cards.

John, 61, who has been painting professionally since 1968, said: "I enjoy painting the 1950s because I remember that period and have quite a nostalgia for that time."

As part of his research John looked at old photos and noted how the architecture in the area had changed.

He said: "The great thing about Accrington is the amount of historic architecture that still exists. Some places like Blackburn have lost that but a lot of it is still up in Accrington. All of it shows the town's history."

Most of John's works feature towns and cities in England during different decades and he said he enjoys the research that goes into his work

John, who lives in Blackburn with his wife Gillian, said he was delighted to have his work featured on cards for the East Lancashire Hospice.

He added: "I think it's a very good cause."

The original painting will be auctioned off during the hospice's annual dinner on Saturday 13 October

Harry Grayson, chairman of the hospice, said: "Last year's card featuring John's painting was the most popular of all our cards. We are thrilled he has helped us out again."

The charity will be taking phone bids for the painting - the number to ring is 342848.

The Christmas cards will be available from October in the hospice's Christmas catalogue, which can also be ordered by ringing the number above.