A VILLAGER who started painting pebbles to occupy her lockdown evenings has cheered up her North Yorkshire neighbours.

Kellie Harvey, 23, who lives in Pickhill, near Thirsk, has painted more than 80 pebbles which she has placed on walls throughout the village.

Her first pebble paid tribute to all the NHS staff working through the coronavirus pandemic.

Now villagers are putting in their own requests for the colourful creations - and sending in donations for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“I’m working from home in the day but when we first went into lockdown, I needed to do something to keep my mind busy while I wasn’t working,” said Ms Harvey, a sales associate and claims handler for an insurance company.

“I’d read about pebble painting, so I got some acryllic weather-proof and water-proof paint pens.Before lockdown, I didn’t even know I was arty. I did GCSE Art at school, but I never pursued it after I left.

“My first pebble had the words ‘Thank You NHS’ in white letters on a blue background, and it was a message to my dad Phil, who’s an electrician at our local hospital. I think sometimes some NHS workers get forgotten.

“I also did a pig, a giraffe, a strawberry and a tree in blossom and I put them around the village.

“At first no one knew who the mystery painter was, but then word got out and people told me I was making them smile when they went out for their daily exercise.

“I’m not trying to entice people out during the lockdown. I just want to brighten up their day when they’re out and about.”

Since then Ms Harvey has had requests for pebble paintings of a pick-up truck, a beer bottle, a Siamese cat and a rally car, among others.

“I didn’t start out to raise funds but when people offered to donate, I chose the Yorkshire Air Ambulance because I feel quite passionate about their work,” added Ms Harvey.

“It’s very early days but I’ve already raised £20, and I have promises of more donations.

“Luckily, once I’ve finished work for the day, I do my pebbles and manage my Facebook group - Pickhill Pebble Project - which means I’m getting some social interaction too.”