THEY are two of her favourite paintings. But Knutsford artist Beryl Mallory did not hesitate when Whitworth Art Gallery asked her to hand them over. The watercolours will be sold off to raise cash for the conservation of 22 Rembrandt prints in the Gallery's collection.

"I'm a member of the Friends of the Gallery so I gladly got involved with the project," she said yesterday (Tuesday). "The Rembrandt prints are very important to the collection and I'm glad my paintings will help keep them in good condition."

Beryl's paintings - of Knutsford rooftops and the Manchester Ship Canal - will form part of a collection of works by the Friends of the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Watercolours, oil paintings, embroidery, ceramics and sculptures will be on public view for a week next month before being sold off.

For some of the amateur artists it will be the first time their work has been displayed.But after 40 years as a professional artist, it will be nothing new to Beryl. "The picture of Knutsford rooftops is being used as a publicity print before the exhibition," she said. "And I don't mind at all."

But she will not speculate how much money her paintings will raise for the project.

"I really have no idea how much they will go for," she said. "It's something an artist doesn't know until the paintings have been sold."

Gallery conservation officer Nicola Walker hopes the exhibition will raise at least £3,000 - to cover the bill for cleaning the Rembrandt prints due to go on display.

"They have got surface dirt on them which must be removed to keep them in good condition," said gallery spokesman Gill Crook. "But the prints also need stabilising with new backboards that will be costly."

The exhibition at the Whitworth Art Gallery on Oxford Road opens on February 2 for a week.

To join the Friends of the Whitworth contact Caroline Williams on 10161 275 7496.