AN artist who only discovered her talent when she started painting to create a record of her family's pedigree cattle when the Foot-and-Mouth crisis hit has donated a pastel drawing to be auctioned for two Dilwyn-supported charities.

The Boycefield Herd of Pedigree Herefords was founded in 2002 when Jim Lewis selected 50 females and three bulls from his family's famous Haven Herd in Dilwyn to set up on his own at Boycefield Farm, also in Dilwyn.

In doing so, he continued the Lewis family tradition of breeding Herefords, which had begun in 1888.

The herd, managed in a traditional, extensive way, has gone from strength to strength selling quality breeding stock. Boycefield Congo won Champion Horned Hereford and Champion Calf at Kington Show 2006.

Lucinda Lewis (pictured) first started painting the cattle during the Foot-and-Mouth disaster of 2001.

She said she painted partly to preserve her sanity during a horribly stressful six months and partly to provide a lasting record of their beautiful livestock if the worst should happen.

Luckily it didn't and equally luckily, people liked her paintings, which encouraged her to continue.

Since then, many local galleries have featured her work, which has sold immediately, and a popular series of cards and prints of Lucinda's work is now available .

The pastel drawing of Boycefield Pedigree Herefords will be auctioned by Brightwells of Leominster at its next fine art sale on Wednesday, May 23.

Bids may be left in advance on 01568 611122. Reserve price is £150.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to Dilwyn village charities including Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Riding for the Disabled.