An Ilkley artist who brought a national art exhibition to the district is appealing to Bradford people to support his efforts to keep it going.

In 1985 Leslie Simpson brought the Society of Miniaturists, the Royal Watercolour Society Art Club and the British Watercolour Society to the North from London.

He has also organised four large exhibitions a year in Ilkley's Winter Gardens for the last 20 years along with his wife Margaret.

But 72-year-old Mr Simpson, pictured, who was born in Horsforth, said he has had to go to London in order to get sponsorship for his venture as he receives no financial help from Yorkshire.

Mr Simpson, who is supporting the Telegraph & Argus campaign to make Bradford Yorkshire's capital of culture, said because the exhibitions make money, he is not eligible for help from the local authorities.

But he said it could be difficult to generate enough cash to keep the exhibition going.

Mr Simpson worked as a cartoonist, commercial artist and painter before taking on the exhibitions.

He has also tried to find time to continue with his own work.

He and his wife put on their first large display in 1971 because they wanted somewhere to display Mr Simpson's life-size painting of the Crucifixion.

The couple hired Unity Hall in Wakefield and advertised for other artists to show work and share the costs.

They were so overwhelmed with the response they continued to organise more art shows.

And artistic talent must run in the family because when the couple's profoundly deaf son Nigel was 13 years old he was invited to meet the Queen Mother and paint a picture for her.

Nigel, now 34, lives in Wetherby assembling furniture.

Back in 1981 the couple organised the first Yorkshire Artists Exhib-ition in Ilkley's Winter Gardens.

This featured the 12 leading regional artists, including world-famous David Hockney, as well as 100 other artists.

Mr Simspon said: "The gallery is a showcase for artists.

"And it provides the public with the paintings that they want to buy for their own homes.

"There is nothing else quite like it in the country.

"However, it is ironic that a London-based company has had to come to our rescue."

The Christmas Exhibition, which is sponsored by The Mail on Sunday and Yorkshire Television, will be officially opened on Saturday by television presenter Richard Whiteley.

It will be open daily from 11am to 4pm at the King's Hall, Winter Gardens, Ilkley.

More than 270 artists will be taking part in the exhibition from all over Britain.