A BEAUTIFULLY-ILLUSTRATED wall calendar is set to raise thousands of pounds for a children's hospice charity.

Artist Gerry Acton has chosen 12 of his stunning gouache paintings of horses, dogs, birds, cattle and sheep for the calendar, which is on sale at the Hope House shop in Oswestry.

Every penny of the £10 cover price will directly help children and their families who depend on the charity.

Although Gerry, who lives in Ludlow, began his working life as a commercial artist, it was in printing where he built his career, eventually owning a company employing 400 people.

It was while giving a talk about his fascinating life for Ludlow Friends of Hope House that he had the idea for the calendar.

Blast Design and ITG of Birmingham have produced more than 3000 copies free of charge – if they all sell at £10 each that will mean more than £30,000 for Hope House and Ty Gobaith.

Gerry’s calendar are available at any Hope House shop, including Oswestry and Wrexham, or call Hope House on 01978 262 901 for mail order (postage and packing is £3.50).