MORE than 70 pictures went on sale in Newland raising £400 for armed forces charity, Combat Stress.

Newland resident and army veteran, Rodney Buckton, organised the event and said: “Visitors from all over the Forest came to the exhibition, held at the Village Room. We had over 70 artworks on display, ranging from a 1960s original cartoon by the famous Daily Telegraph cartoonist, Osbert Lancaster, to scenes of Coleford and the Wye.

“Painting and exhibiting at the sale was Coleford artist Carl Williams, who for many years was a signwriter in Bristol. He is the son of the late Tom and Sally Williams of Sling. Tom was a noted artist who exhibited in Bristol, Yorkshire and in London galleries and at Harrods.

“Many of the pictures on sale were most kindly donated by local people, including Mrs Jo Haile and Mr John Ledgard of Newland, and Mrs Pat Morris of Monmouth.

“We are delighted with the very generous response we received. Many servicemen and women who have experienced horrific events whilst on active service do not start to exhibit mental health problems until years after they have left the armed services. Combat Stress is there to counsel and support them for as long as they need it, but it all costs money.”

To find out more, visit www.combatstress.org.uk or call Rodney on 01594 839196.