A Menston artist is set for

success after selling nearly half her paintings in the first night of her debut exhibition.

Margaret Harvey, of Moor Lane, has been painting since the age of 11 but it was not until her retirement that she began to take her talent more seriously.

When she was offered the chance to show her work at Bolton Royd Art Gallery in Bradford she was apprehensive - but she has been a resounding success.

She exhibited 20 paintings and nearly half have already been snapped up.

"I sold half my pictures on the first night," she said.

"I was asked to join the show and put up about 20 paintings and I sold quite a lot. I was rather pleased."

The first night was last Tuesday and it was very well attended.

"Most of my paintings are of horses and some of them are 50 years old. When I was young I didn't sell any of my paintings because I didn't want to part with them. I have had some of them exhibited before.

"I have also done ceramic models of dogs and horses and bronze sculptures."

Before concentrating on her painting, Margaret had an illustrious equestrian career. She ran a riding school for 40 years, held pony treks, bred more than 100 horses and won awards for show jumping.

She has already had her paintings displayed in Cartwright Hall in Bradford and at the Society of Equestrian Artists in London and she will also be appearing at the Menston Art Exhibition.

Her work is showing at the 'Celebration' exhibition until the end of May.

The exhibition is open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Friday.