FOR the last ten years, Linda Bowes has been unable to move most of her body after she was struck down by a debilitating illness.

She was diagnosed with dystonia, which causes sustained muscle spasms, leaving her in a wheelchair and unable to feed, dress or even write her own signature.

But over the past few months, Linda has discovered an amazing talent, allowing her to create remarkable portraits and landscapes, with her paintbrush leaning against just one finger.

"This hand shakes too much so I can't use it," said Linda, indicating her right hand.

"This one is fixed, but I can't move my fingers."

But the brave 37-year-old has learned how to paint by leaning the brush against her left forefinger, and carefully moving her arm across the paper or canvas.

Linda, of Broome Close, Huntington, York, cannot speak because the dystonia has affected her voice box, and communicates through a machine called a lightwriter.

She uses her shaky right finger to tap the keys, making the machine speak the words, but she cannot use it to draw.

She rediscovered her childhood skill in January after her dad, John, brought round some of her O-level artwork and asked her to have a go.

"I am relaxed when I'm painting and the tremors seem to stop," she said.

"It is awkward, but it works.

"I was the only one at school to get an A in art."

Linda, who has undergone 18 operations and has to take 44 tablets a day, started work in pencil, progressed to watercolours, and now wants to take a course in oils.

She copies pictures of scenery or photographs of her family, and has a waiting list of people wanting her portraits.

The former hairdresser, who used to run her own business, is looked after by a carer.

Linda's former partner, Andy Smith, with whom she bought her house, died seven years ago.

Her fianc, Paul Charlton, 36, suffers from ataxia, a disorder which affects the nervous system, and lives in New Earswick.

"I knew Paul by sight at school, but we met again at the day centre five years ago," said Linda. She hopes her paintings will inspire other disabled people.

She said: "I always want to try new things. It's so easy to become bed-bound if you don't."

Coping with the pain of dystonia

DYSTONIA describes involuntary sustained muscle spasms which can be extremely painful.

It can affect one area such as the eyes, neck or a limb, which is called focal dystonia.

It can also be more widespread, and in cases like Linda's, which are rare, it can affect every body part.

The condition affects men and women of all ages, and can develop in childhood, but may not become apparent until a sufferer reaches middle or old age.

At least 38,000 people in the Britain are thought to be sufferers.

The Dystonia Society, formed in 1983, promotes greater awareness within the medical profession and among the public. Its helpline is 0845 4586322.