ONE of the North-East's bestknown artists has become an MBE.

Norman Cornish was given the honour for services to art after more than eight decades painting scenes from his County Durham home town.

The 88-year-old former miner is best known for his portraits of fellow pitmen in Spennymoor.

Over the years, his iconic images of working-class life - including pigeon lofts, allotments, market stalls and fish and chip vans, have graced galleries and exhibition halls nationwide.

Mr Cornish was born in Spennymoor in 1919 and still lives there.

He said yesterday the town had provided him with all the inspiration he ever needed.

He said: "I thought about leaving once or twice, but I always felt that what I wanted to do was paint the life around me - and there was always plenty of life right here in this town."

He began drawing aged four and showed academic promise at school before he followed his father with a career in mining.

He took his first job at the pits aged 14.

He spent the next 30 years as a "Sunday painter", spending the week at the coalface, but the weekends pursuing his passion for art.

He was involved in the Spennymoor Settlement - a voluntary group for working miners that also produced acclaimed painter Tom McGuiness.

Mr Cornish said: "When I was a miner, I always thought about becoming a professional painter, but I never quite expected it to happen.

"I have been painting now for much longer than I worked in the mines."

He said he was delighted to be named in the New Year Honours list, but does not expect to travel to London to collect his award because of poor health.

He said: "I am getting on in years, and when you get to my age, not much surprises you, but this has come as a complete shock."