A FAN of the Royal family has discovered a sketch she made of Princess Margaret as a child.

Gladys Tomlinson, from Darlington, decided to make a sketch of the princess after she saw a picture of her in The Northern Echo, in 1935.

The 84-year-old has made portraits of dozens of Royals and movie stars since she took up art as a teenager, and her sketch of the princess, who died last week at the age of 71, is one of her favourites.

Mrs Tomlinson found the portrait as she was sorting through her belongings at her home in Quaker Lane.

She also found a portrait of the future Edward VIII, and has now decided to put the two sketches up for sale.

Mrs Tomlinson, who is a member of Darlington Art Society, said: "I don't know how much I'll get for the portraits, but I'm sure some fellow fans of the Royal family would like them.

"The princess was very young when I made the sketch, and I thought she was a wonderful person, and I'll be quite sad to let the picture go."

Mrs Tomlinson has exhibited her work at various venues around Darlington, and hopes to continue painting, despite losing the sight in her left eye recently.

She said: "I can't paint as much as I would like, but I still enjoy it, and hopefully I can go on to exhibit some more pieces and sketch other members of the Royal family."

Anyone interested in buying the portraits can contact Mrs Tomlinson, on (01325) 350813.