OTLEY artist Dave Stephenson is facing the biggest canvas of his life.

When he attended Bradford Royal Infirmary for treatment recently it struck him how dull and drab the corridors were, and especially the one taking children from the children's ward to the operating theatre.

A fully trained artist, Dave decided to offer to do something to brighten things up for the children.

"I had an ulcer on my eye and was attending the hospital. As I was walking round I thought the corridors were rather dull.

"I decided to offer to do something to brighten things up for the kids on their way to the operating theatre.

"I approached the hospital's Voluntary Services Manager and volunteered to do something about brightening the place up."

Dave's efforts will take him about six weeks to complete and he is looking for sponsors to help him with the project as he is working without pay.

"Sponsors can help in many ways and they could have their company logo painted into one of the panels I am doing. In total there are 49 wall units and 29 ceiling panels to paint so there is plenty of scope for sponsors," he said.

Dave has carried out a survey amongst the children to see which characters they would like to see on the murals.

Dave is also going to paint two pictures which will be raffled or auctioned to raise money towards funding a child at the hospital and to funding a piece of equipment for the hospital. He said that once his project is finished he is hoping to get singer Gareth Gates to officially open the work.

l Anyone who wants to help sponsor the project can contact Dave, who describes himself as a colourful character, on 07814 968083.