A YORK artist who became the first national winner of Channel 4's Watercolour Challenge is holding an exhibition this week - and raising vital funds for the city's St Leonard's Hospice.

Steve Richards, who has a studio in York Street, Dunnington, has a collection of landscape paintings, including scenes of York, rural and coastline subjects, together with a large collection of framed and unframed prints and cards.

His new exhibition opened at his studio, which he runs with his photographer son Matthew, last night.

The artist is donating five per cent of every sale made to St Leonard's Hospice, in Tadcaster Road.

Janet Morley, the fundraising manager for St Leonard's Hospice, said: "Steve Richards has supported St Leonard's in the past and we are very grateful to him for choosing to help the hospice in this way."

The exhibition is open from 10am to 4pm every day until Sunday, September 1.

Prices range from under £100 to £950 for a painting. For more information, phone 01904 481888.

Updated: 10:05 Saturday, August 24, 2002