ARTIST Sue Moorhouse moved to Haltwhistle two years ago feeling that with her advancing years, she needed access to more facilities than her previous home in Byrness offered her.

But used to being surrounded by Kielder Forest and passionate about trees, it wasn’t long before she went back to her roots and began painting her beloved woodland pictures once again.

She is now preparing to exhibit some of the fruits of her labour on Saturday, October 1, at Haltwhistle’s Holy Cross Church.

The doors will only be open for a short time, between 2pm and 4pm, as the exhibition is designed to tie in with her other great love - walking and, specifically at the moment, the bi-annual Haltwhistle Walking Festival.

She said: “When I was looking around for somewhere else with more amenities to live, Haltwhistle seemed like a good place, because I already knew it from doing the Haltwhistle Rings (set of walks).

“I really missed the forest, but now I live on Castle Hill at the top of Haltwhistle Burn and I just love the trees there.”

A regular member of the Haltwhistle walking group that meets every Wednesday, she naturally took a look at the walking festival’s programme and spotted what seemed like a golden opportunity.

“One of the walks planned is an exploration of the history and heritage around the burn, while another, longer, one cuts back through the burn on the way into Haltwhistle,” she said.

“I just thought why don’t I exhibit my paintings at the end of the afternoon so the walkers can come in to see them and have a cup of tea.”

The exhibition is open to general members of the public too, she adds.