A DETERMINED stroke survivor is set to receive a prestigious award for showing artistic talent and courage.

Christine Hare, who had a stroke five years ago which paralysed her right-hand side, has won the art award from The Stroke Association.

Despite, her condition, the 55-year-old discovered she could paint with her left hand.

Through her artwork in the last three years, she has raised £3,000 for people affected by strokes and for other charities.

Mrs Hare, who has only regained 10 per cent of her speech, will receive The Susie Hulks Memorial Award for Art, at the Life After Stroke Awards ceremony in London on Tuesday, July 16.

There are seven different categories of the award and Mrs Hare has won the art section.

The ceremony will be attended by the Duke of Kent and a host of celebrities, including Honor Blackman.

"Christine's over the moon about the award," said her husband Frank.

"She doesn't like fuss and has been trying to play it down but she's chuffed underneath."

Mrs Hare, who has five children and three grandchildren, suffered her stroke out of the blue.

"She was taken into the Willow Ward at Evesham Community Hospital on a stretcher and limped out seven months later," said Mr Hare, editor for Insite, an industry federation magazine.

"She was a PA to seven architects before the stroke and the stroke wiped her ability of speech.

"She couldn't say 'yes' or 'no' at first. It was difficult for her."

Mr Hare said the couple decided to soldier on rather than getting emotional over the stroke.

He said his wife began art classes for able-bodied students at Malvern Hills College For Adult Education around four years ago.

"She paints paintings of fine flowers," said Mr Hare who lives with his wife in Chapel Lane, Cradley, near Malvern.

"She's created three Christmas cards three years running.

"We had them printed and sold in a charity card shop in Malvern Library. That's how she raised the £3,000."

The Stroke Association awards recognise the courage of those who have had their lives turned upside down by the devastating effects of stroke.

"We were swamped with nominations and the judges found it very difficult to decide the overall winners but Christine shone through," said Eoin Redahan of The Stroke Association.

"Christine thoroughly deserves this award. Her work is outstanding."