Boscastle painting offered to flood appeal

But it was an altogether more sedate scene captured by amateur Bexhill artist Marie Walker while on holiday there in 1992.

Marie had forgotten all about the charming watercolour until news of the devastating flood - one of Britain's worst ever - broke on Monday.

"I said to my husband, 'Boscastle, I'm sure I did a painting of Boscastle once,' and sure enough I found it in my wardrobe.

"I don't profess to be much of an artist but you can quite clearly see the harbour and the properties that were swept away by the torrent. I thought it a strange coincidence. It was a lovely village and what's happened there is very sad. I suppose it will never be the same again."

Mrs Walker now hopes to sell the painting to raise money for the flood appeal. Anyone interested can contact her on 213203.