A Cleator Moor artist has surprised a family by capturing their daughter forever in a painting.

Craig Hamilton said he heard that the family were raising funds to take Arabella Kelly, who has a rare brain tumour, on holiday and that it was on her bucket list to ride a horse.

His girlfriend Louise Williams owns a horse so he arranged for the family to come and ride.

While there he took photos of Arabella, held by grandad Geoff Blacklock and mother Jessica Blacklock and painted from the pictures.

Then he went to the family's house and presented Arabella with the artwork. The family were completely unaware of the painting.

Jessica, from Workington, said: "Craig came round to our house with my Uncle who had asked Craig would he be able to do a painting for us.

"I had absolutely no idea when Arabella opened the painting. I was completely taken back and lost for words, you could feel the love and dedication that had been put into the painting.

"Every time I look at the painting I have a lovely feeling that you just don’t get from any other picture. I am so grateful for Craig creating such an amazing oil painting for us."

Craig said: "It was a pleasure, it's a small thing to do after what she's been through. I didn't do it for any publicity or anything. I didn't post it on my Facebook, but I know the family."

He said the painting took about six weeks to complete and was done in oils.