It was 3pm on a Saturday afternoon and David O'Leary was wearing a familiar frown.

But for once, groin strains and offside traps couldn't be further from the mind of the Leeds United manager.

Instead, his brow was furrowed as he pored over watercolours - Mr O'Leary was taking advantage of the fact that his side's game against Wimbledon had been put back by 24 hours to take up an offer to be a judge at the latest British Society of Painters' exhibition.

"It makes a lovely relaxing change on a Saturday afternoon. Sadly, the two pictures I have chosen as winners are not for sale so I couldn't buy them," said Mr O'Leary.

After arriving at the King's Hall/Winter Gardens in Station Road, Ilkley, in his silver BMW, he spent an hour with his wife Joy and 14-year-old daughter Ciara choosing the winner of the Bryan Mosley Memorial Prize.

The award is an emotional one which was inaugurated last year by the late Shipley-based actor's widow, Norma.

She picked a painting by Clifford Blakey as the first winner of the prize in memory of the Coronation Street star, who died last year.

Organisers hope Mrs Mosley will be able to present the prize next week to Yorkshire artist Richard Gawthorpe, who was selected as the winner this year by Mr O'Leary for his winter scene of Pogg Myres Farm in Roberttown.

Mr O'Leary, who mingled with other art lovers and stopped to chat and sign autographs, said he had very much enjoyed the experience.

"I just like paintings but I wouldn't say I'm a great expert," he said.

"I always try to look for whatever I like.

"I tend to like pictures of the Yorkshire Dales. I love the countryside around here and now we've moved to it. I have just chosen what takes my fancy."

His wife said they were looking to buy some pictures for their new home.

Exhibition organiser Leslie Simpson said he was delighted that the Leeds manager had been able to attend. He had originally been planning to open the summer exhibition in June but had to switch dates because he would have been on holiday.

"You can tell why he was a good footballer. You can't tackle him. He's very good at just ghosting around without anyone noticing him," said Mr Simpson.

The exhibition was earlier opened by another famous face from Coronation Street - actor John Savident, who plays butcher Fred Elliott.

It is open daily from noon until Sunday.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.