A FORMER firefighter who has defied Parkinsons disease to become a highly proficient artist is holding an exhibition in his local pub in the name of charity.

Ian Dunning, of Norton, Stockton, spent 32 years working for Cleveland Fire Brigade before being diagnosed with the debilitating illness and didn't pick up a paint brush until he was 40 years old.

Now he and fellow painter, Ken Dunn, are holding an exhibition in The Highland Laddie, a Wetherspoons pub in Norton, on Saturday, November 15.

The pair will donate some of the money raised from the sale of any painting to the children's charity Clic Sargent which helps young people with cancer. Mr Dunning often paints animals and local scenes and recently won an award for a painting of Whitby in rough seas, which will go up for sale. Mr Dunn paints animals and more abstract work.

Mr Dunning, 58, a granddad, explained he was diagnosed with Parkinsons six years ago, but these days devotes his life to art.

He said: "I love painting and it is wonderful to have the chance to do something like this in my own community is wonderful. I'd like to praise Wetherspoons who have tidied up that pub and are really becoming part of the community by allowing us to do this."