A Bury artist has been commissioned to paint a family portrait for national treasure Captain Tom.
Stuart Barkley, of Ramsbottom, reached out to Captain Sir Tom Moore's grandson Benjie on social media and agreed to paint an initial portrait of the two of them for free.
The painting, which took around 40 hours to complete, was so well received that it now hangs in Captain Tom's Bedfordshire home.
"I've wanted to paint a sort of elder statesman for quite some time," Stuart said.
"After I sent it they said they loved it and asked if I'd paint another one, but they'd pay me this time. That one is going to be five members of the family.
"It's a huge honour, he's a hero and a national treasure. I never thought I'd ever paint a 'Sir' either! It's a lot of pressure though, it's scary."
Captain Tom captured the nation's hearts with his lockdown aim of raising £1,000 for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden.
Since then, the 100-year-old Second World War veteran has raised more than £32 million, been knighted, promoted to Honorary Colonel, given the Freedom of the City of London, and won a Pride of Britain Award.
Stuart, who grew up in Cheadle Hulme but has lived in Ramsbottom for the past 25 years, works as a wedding painter, painting people during their wedding breakfasts.
The 45-year-old added: "I've been painting ever since I was a kid but it's all come to fruition professionally in the past few years.
"My role is very unusual and unique but I really enjoy it."
To see more of Stuart's work, visit his website.
