THE Art Shop in Darlington has produced a charity calendar for 2004 painted by local artists.

The Bondgate shop held a competition for customers to paint their favourite part of the town for each month of the year. The best paintings were chosen to go in the calendar. Each winner was asked which charity they wanted the proceeds from the sale to benefit. They also won £50.

The nine charities to benefit this year are St Teresa's Hospice, Middleton Plus, Children in Need, Cancer Research, RSPCA, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Cystic Fibrosis, Anthony Nolan Fund and the Children's Heart Foundation.

Last year, £725 was raised from the sale of the 2003 calendar after the printers were paid.

The winning pictures, two of which are by children, will be on display in the shop until Monday.

About 400 calendars have been printed. They are available at a cost of £8.50.