AN artist from Bolton with a painting of Blackpool’s famous illuminations now has her own name up in lights.

Janet Kenyon, aged 50, was announced as the winner of the Cityscape category in The Royal Watercolour Society Sunday Times Watercolour Competition.

The former Harper Green pupil’s painting of the resort’s illuminations was chosen by judges from more than 1,000 entries.

She won a £1,500 prize, which she will collect at a ceremony at Bankside Gallery, in London, on September 8.

The full-time artist, who was born in Farnworth, said: “I am delighted to have won, it is fantastic to be recognised.

“It was a tough competition and I did not expect to get so far. It has inspired me to enter more competitions and continue with my work.”

Mrs Kenyon, who now lives in Carlisle, displayed some of her work at an outdoor art festival in Bolton at the weekend, which ran alongside the Bolton Food and Drink Festival in Victoria Square.

She added: “It was really nice to meet people in my home town and get feedback about my work. It was very busy, which I think was helped by the food festival.”

Mrs Kenyon studied at Bolton College of Art and Design and is still a member of the Bolton Art Circle.

Frank Whitford said in his article in the Sunday Times: “The view of the Blackpool illuminations in the rain, Northern Lights, almost won one of the other prizes as well.

“It’s a watercolour that actually looks like one. The light on the rainy tramway and the glare in the sky are especially well done.”

The Sunday Times Royal Watercolour Society exhibition will be held at the Bankside Gallery, in London, from September 9 to September 20.