A TALENTED local artist has scooped top prize in a national art competition.

Kevin Palmer, from Nunthorpe, entered his piece of artwork entitled 'Foundry Men' into Hobbycraft's competition.

Customers were given the chance to vote for their favourites, with the winner from each store put forward to the national competition.

The 80-year-old wins a £350 art hamper and £150 gift voucher, and will have his painting displayed in Hobbycraft's Stockton store.

Mr Palmer's winning entry depicts Cochrane’s Foundry which was functional from the 1940s to the 1960s.

He was inspired by a black and white image from a local history book, which shows iron workers casting segments for use in the London Underground.

Mr Palmer, who was a signwriter during his working life, said: "I was made up to win the Stockton store’s competition, but to have beat hundreds of other entries and win Hobbycraft’s national competition is just fantastic.

"I was inspired by an image I found of Cochrane’s Foundry; I liked the light being cast from the furnace behind the workers and thought it would be a great image to paint in colour."

Hobbycraft Stockton-on-Tees store manager, Richard Gibbins, said: "Kevin’s piece is rooted in local history, and beautifully portrays old iron workers at Cochrane’s Foundry. Everyone at the store loved his painting, so we’re delighted that Kevin has gone on to win the national competition."