POSTMAN Pat and his black and white cat have arrived at a stately home for an exhibition of original illustrations.

The collection of about 60 drawings from Ray Mutimer opens today at Newby Hall, near Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Mr Mutimer, who lives in nearby Knaresborough, has been a professional illustrator for the past 25 years.

His work has featured in more than 300 children's books and he has illustrated a number of classic children's characters, including The Moomins, Rupert Bear, Noddy, Charlie Chalk and Postman Pat.

The Postman Pat illustrations on show are the original artwork which was re-produced in a particular book. They cannot be used again for copyright reasons and many of the books they were in are now out of print.

Hall administrator Stuart Gill said: "Original illustrations of classic children's characters are increasingly in demand, as they make great Christmas and birthday presents, and are rarely found outside specialist galleries.

"We are delighted to have this exhibition at Newby."

During the exhibition, the hall is running a competition to encourage any young illustrators to create pictures of Postman Pat.

Mr Mutimer will judge the entries at the end of the month and winners will receive one of his original pencil drawings.

The exhibition is in the Grantham Room every day until Monday, August 30, from 11am to 5pm. All the works on show are for sale, with prices from £150 to £800.

Published: 03/08/2004