THE Queen is set to view images of Bolton's past which are gracing a new London art gallery.

The two pictures - oil paintings by local artist Geoffrey Fletcher - depict buildings which once formed a dominant part of the town's backdrop but have since been demolished.

Park Mill, which once stood off Chorley Old Road, forms the subject of one painting, while another mill which was on Rushey Fold Lane, is featured in the second work.

Mr Fletcher, who lives in Smithills, told the BEN: "I was very pleased to have these paintings displayed. Work on the gallery has been superbly well done and the curator Vivien Knight has done a wonderful job."

The Bolton painter, who returned to his home town with wife Jean five years ago, has 13 pictures on display at the newly opened Guildhall Art Gallery in London.

Bolton Art Gallery also has an extensive collection of the painter's work and a pen and ink drawing of Bolton's New Year Fair has just been snapped up by an art gallery in Blackpool.

He joked: "It seems my pictures of Bolton seem to be on the move around the country at the moment.

"I usually spend a long time thinking about the subject of a picture and then knock them out quite quickly. Otherwise a painting can go stale."

And Vivien Knight, curator of the new gallery, who used to work at Manchester's Whitworth Gallery, praised Mr Fletcher's paintings.

It is hoped the Queen may view the works during a visit to the gallery at the beginning of November, to mark its formal opening.

Vivien Knight said: "Mr Fletcher's work is featured in a discreet, smaller display, which forms more of its own separate exhibition.

"The work is very restful and appealing. The Bolton scenes are a bit more bleak and rather poignant. There are no people, just buildings outlined against the skyline. They are more wistful."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.