AN artist who has spent many years creating artwork on a 200-year-old printing press, is looking for a good home for the beloved piece of engineering.

Artist and designer Ron Burleigh, from Crakehall, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire has used the cast iron piece of machinery to create lino cuts and artwork depicting the Yorkshire Dales.

But now he is retiring and is looking for someone to give a good home to antique Albion printing press, which dates back to the early 19th Century, but became very popular during the Victorian era.

He said: “It’s basically a letter press with metal plates.

“I found it when I was teaching in a private school and they wanted to spend some money on the art department.

“I went to a printers’ engineers in Bradford and was looking for bits and pieces and in the corner there was this machine. I couldn’t believe it. It was just sat in the corner covered with cobwebs. I bought it and got it painted up.”

He added: “But I’ve reached the stage where I’m retiring and I don’t want to be lumbered with this great thing. I thought it might work as a prestige item in the foyer of somewhere like a printing establishment or at an art school.”

Anyone wishing to buy the piece of machinery can contact Mr Burleigh on 01677-423188.