A painting by a man who knew he would never see it hung has been sold to raise cash to help people with terminal illness.

The watercolour of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal by Mark Swift, who died of cancer aged 44, was on show at the Mall Galleries in London.

He was cared for at Manorlands, the Sue Ryder home at Oxenhope, and painted the canvas just before he died last August.

Mark's widow, Annette, of Keighley, was one of the guests of honour at the Sue Ryder Care exhibition which launched the charity's annual Art Liberating Lives exhibition.

There were more than 400 pieces of art displayed to reflect the importance of art as therapy in Sue Ryder Care's six hospices and nine neurological care centres nationwide.

Mrs Swift said: "When Mark was painting his piece he knew that he would never have the chance to see it displayed in London.

"Seeing his painting hanging in such a prestigious gallery with other amazing artworks made me feel so proud of him."

Victoria Glover, head of events at Sue Ryder Care, said: "Art really does liberate lives and is a powerful way for people to express themselves in a way which their condition may otherwise make difficult."

Anyone wanting to find out more about Sue Ryder Care's work can e-mail info @suerydercare.org or call 0845 0501953.