SPORTS' fan Gordon Harrison has a very special reminder of some of the area's sporting landmarks -- past and present.

Gordon, aged 56, has original paintings of the old Wigan Athletic stadium, Central Park at Wigan and Bolton Wanderers' Burnden Park -- both now demolished -- and of the super new JJB Stadium at Wigan. And they were all a gift.

It all started when a Blackburn artist called Gordon Taylor came into Wigan Rugby Club where Gordon, who lives in Bolton, has been Lottery manager for the past 10 years.

"He wanted to borrow an aerial view of Central Park for a painting," explained Gordon, "so I found one for him."

Gordon was similarly able to help him with an aerial view of the Athletic Club, and also arranged to sell some framed photographs of the subsequent paintings. "Gordon Taylor has an unusual style of painting," he added. "It's apparently a cross between an artist called David Shepherd and L S Lowry, and even though they're taken from aerial pictures, they're front-on views, as if the artist were standing just nearby."

In fact, Gordon Harrison was delighted by the acrylic on board pictures, more so when he saw the old Burnden Park and the new JJB paintings given the artistic treatment.

And to thank him for his work, the artist gave all four original pictures to him. Now, they have pride of place in Gordon's Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, home.

"I really enjoy looking at them," he added, "and I'd never dream of selling them."

As for Gordon Taylor, he has now turned his attention to capturing another legendary sporting building that will soon be no more. His next picture will be of Wembley Stadium.