A TALENTED artist from Callands has achieved recognition for her work years after she was forced to give up painting.

Winifred Turner, aged 76, first discovered a flair for oil painting in the 1970s but after a battle against cancer, she had to give it up because she found the smell made her sick.

But last year, she decided to take up a new challenge and decided to enrol on a course in watercolours.

She said: "At first, it was just for eight weeks but the tutor persuaded me to stay on for the 32-week City and Guilds course. I told him I was too old but he said that was nonsense - you're never too old. So I decided to do it because it would be a challenge."

Winifred, who lives in St Asaph Drive, is unable to leave the house on her own so her husband would take her to and from Winwick College.

"I've had wonderful support from all my family. My husband even understood when I was up until 3am finishing my homework!"

But Winifred, who is partially sighted, remains very modest about her success. She said: "I was not the only person to achieve the City and Guilds - I don't want to be singled out because there were a lot of other people on my course.

"I don't think I was particularly good but I really enjoyed it and that to me, was the important thing. My next challenge is going to be a multi-media course starting next month when I'll get to work with other materials."

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