THE daughter of one of Britain's best self-taught painters is appealing to Evening Press readers to help her find about more about her dad's life.

Ann Lloyd wants to hear from anyone with information, anecdotes and pictures of her father James Lloyd.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Mr Lloyd was renowned as the country's premier primitive artist.

A former policeman and bus conductor, Mr Lloyd became a legend from his council house home in Skirpenbeck, near York.

His paintings, of animal and farm scenes, were selling for £300 a piece in the early 1970s. Mr Lloyd used the pointillist method - pictures formed of tiny dots as a result of the printing process.

His works hung in the homes of many famous people, including actors John Mills and Peter O'Toole, and Beatle George Harrison.

He was commissioned to paint a picture for a book by The Beatles and also appeared on a prime-time BBC television documentary - "The Dotty World of James Lloyd" - after being introduced to film-maker Ken Russell.

Mr Lloyd died in April 1974 when Ann was just 13. Ann, who now lives in Driffield, said: "Obviously I remember my father well, but I am looking for any information that people can give me.

"Growing up, I didn't know a great deal about what he did.

We used to have Ken Russell stopping regularly. David Bailey also used to come often.

He was a well-respected figure.

"Some parts of his life are a little bit of a mystery. My mother, who died last year, didn't tell us much.

"When you are a child you don't take things in. He was a very colourful character, but I have very little to remember him by."

Anyone who can help should contact Ann on 01377 255715.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, July 27, 2002