THE work of a Ryedale artist has been selected to grace the cover of a new book by a local writing group.

A watercolour painting by Colin G Culley, who has a studio in Lockton, was chosen by Castle Writers of Pickering to illustrate the cover of their latest anthology of work, “Journey on the 128”, which was released last month.

The title reflects one of the stories about an eventful journey on the local bus which runs from Scarborough to Helmsley and passes through Pickering.

Mr Culley’s painting was picked after the writers approached the Vale of Pickering Art Club - of which he is a member - inviting submissions for the book cover.

Artists were asked that the work include Pickering Castle in some form - the castle is just 100 yards from where the writing group

holds its weekly meetings. Castle Writers then chose their favourite by ballot.

A spokesman for the writing

group said: “The painting is lovely and we’re delighted that it will become part of our new book - a real collaboration of local artists and writers.”

The book is printed by HPE Print of Pickering. Journey on the 128 is the second publication by Castle Writers and features stories and poetry on a range of themes - funny, factual and fearsome.

It is available to purchase from Television House and The Bay Horse Inn in Pickering and various other businesses in Pickering and the Ryedale area at the price of £7.95.