THE results of 40 years of painstaking work will be among the highlights of a festival in the Yorkshire Dales later this month.

Emily Gardner, an 88-year-old from Aldbrough St John, near Richmond, started making quilts when she was in her 40s.

She is entirely self-taught, yet one of her works hangs in the Beamish Museum and another took the first prize in a regional competition.

Now, her work is to feature in the Swaledale Festival, going on show at Fremington Sunday School from May 28 to June 6.

Despite her obvious talents, Mrs Gardner insists she has no artistic sense and cannot sew.

However, neighbour Janet Hall said: "Everyone who sees these quilts is stunned by the colours and designs."