AN eight-year-old artist with a passion for Norman Cornish has seen his latest works commanding prices to rival his hero.

Spennymoor Town Council was so impressed by Charlie Hodgson’s new paintings it included them in the latest exhibition at the Town Hall Gallery – and even gave each work an aspirational price tag of £10,500.

The good spirited gesture was made to show Charlie how much his talent is valued by staff and volunteers at the County Durham gallery, where the youngster can often be found studying the works of the pitman painters and chatting to artists.

Fascinated by the region’s mining heritage, Charlie especially likes to visit the Norman Cornish exhibition, and is inspired by the way the famous Spennymoor artist captured everyday life.

Charlie, from nearby Middlestone Moor, painted his watercolours of mining landscapes and pitmen at work as a gift for volunteers Myra Smith and Ruby Wright, who have encouraged him to pursue his talent.

Ms Wright said the painting were priceless, adding: “He is a lovely little boy. There is nothing cheeky about him and he absolutely loves Myra and I.

"He painted those pictures for us and we were so impressed we got them framed. His little face lit up when he saw them in the exhibition.”

The gallery volunteers have also stuck up a thank-you letter from Charlie in their office.

It says: “Thank you to the lovely ladies and staff of the Norman Cornish art gallery for all their help when I come to see the great paintings by Norman and Smudge and Derek Slater and all the great artists. I want to be an artist one day.”

It was this letter that prompted Colin Ranson, acting town clerk at Spennymoor Town Council, to add the price tags to the pictures.

“We did this to recognise and reward a young member of the community with a passion for art,” said Mr Ranson.

“He is a regular visitor to the gallery, and town council and gallery volunteers have taken him to their hearts. He wrote a nice letter of thanks but we wanted to thank him. It’s nice to see such a pleasant young man with such passion and enthusiasm.”

Earlier this year, the council arranged for Charlie to meet Norman Cornish’s son, John, who also expressed his admiration for the Rosa Street School pupil.

Charlie’s family could not be prouder.

Grandfather Paul Hodgson said: “I am over the moon for Charlie. To have an artistic streak is a wonderful thing and the support he gets from the volunteers and artists at the gallery is fantastic.”

Spennymoor Town Hall Art Gallery is open from noon to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.