An artistic group at the Sue Ryder palliative care hospice have enjoyed a series of silk painting sessions as part of Art Liberating Lives.

Each patient is creating a unique piece of art that responds to the theme What Does Sue Ryder Care Mean To You?

The finished work will be donated to the charity as part of the Art Liberating Lives competition.

Sally Porter, a day patient at Wheatfields Hospice, said: "I love painting, but I discovered this passion by taking part in the art sessions run at the hospice. Now I am working on a silk paint with irises and once I finish it, I want to donate it to the charity to support its great job in helping patients and their families in this region."

Now in its third year, the event - which culminates in a prestigious exhibition in London - aims to put a spotlight on the very active art therapy sessions run by Sue Ryder Care, as part of its specialist palliative and neurological care services.

The pieces being created at Wheatfields Hospice will join those on display at the Mall Galleries in December.

And for the first time Art Liberating Lives has been opened up to the public. Artists, from professionals to amateurs, are being urged to create works in any medium which reflect the theme of Liberation.

The charity is also staging a number of its own art-related workshops across the UK, including an art exhibition on Saturday November 17 at Wheatfields hospice.

Margaret Wood, day therapist at Wheatfields hospice, said: "I am very pleased with this initiative as patients are really enjoying it. We hope people will join us in supporting the event - and create their own works."

School children are also being urged to get involved and answer the question What Does My Brain Look Like?.

Information packs are available to download from the charity's website www.suerydercare.org.

An overall winner will be chosen and their school awarded £5,000 worth of art supplies.