WHEN Una Milsom was in her 50s she joined an art club just for something to do - and then discovered she had an incredible talent for painting.

She acquired an agent and sold many of her pieces of artwork to restaurants in London.

Even now at 87, Una, of Manor Street, Greenbank, is passionate about painting.

And members of the public will have the chance to judge for themselves when she shows her work at Northwich Library for a month starting on Friday, April 2.

One might expect an octogenarian to be painting beautiful scenes in delicate watercolours. Not Una.

Some of her strong oil paintings depict deep, dark moods, which is not surprising after she explains who inspires her.

Una said: "I'm very fond of classical music. Beethoven is my inspiration for everything, especially if I am feeling depressed."

She chooses a wide range of subjects and paints with many different textures.

Una said: "Some of the paintings just start out in my imagination, some are buildings or people."

She recalls the time she started at the art club. She said: "My children said I ought to do something so I joined an art club.

"My teacher praised me so much. I found out what I didn't realise I could do and I really wanted to do it."

Paul Rotheram, Una's grandson, said: "People only seem to want commercial painting these days but these are totally unique."

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk