A PICTURE painted by a Kidderminster artist raised £302 for Operation Covert when it was raffled at a private viewing of his first home town exhibition.

The painting of a Wyre Forest scene near Rhydd Covert was won by pensioner Tom Buckley who used to help out at the Scouts activity centre.

Artist James Hall was delighted when about 120 people attended the private viewing of his exhbition "A Love of Lakes and Landscapes" at Kidder-minster Library.

He said: "Rhydd Covert is very close to my heart because I really enjoyed going there when I was in Cookley Scouts.

"I see the appeal is nearing its target and I am pleased to have helped it get a little bit closer. I think we raised such a good amount because the painting was well liked by those who saw it."

More than 600 tickets were sold and the picture of the Devil's Spittleful was won by Mr Buckley, who lives just a few doors away from the artist in Comberton Hill.

"I like the picture very much. I used to help out at Rhydd doing maintenance and clearing up when my sons were in the Scouts," said the 78-year-old who used to work in engineering at Parsons Chain in Stourport.

The painting will remain on display at the library until the exhibition finishes on Saturday, February 25.