A new art exhibition in Cumbria has opened this week, with the aim of benefitting Maryport Rescue. 

Roy Simmons moved to Maryport with his wife Janet eight years ago, and he can see from his home just how vital the work that the charity does is.

Four framed landscape paintings displayed on a gallery wall, with titles and prices visible on small labels below each frame.Four framed landscape paintings displayed on a gallery wall, with titles and prices visible on small labels below each frame. (Image: Supplied)

Roy has always had a passion for using oil pastels, since his father brought them home for him during their time living in Singapore, and now he wants to bring joy to the people of Maryport through his work, whilst also raising essential funds for the independent lifeboat, swift water rescue and search and rescue service.

He said: "We moved up to Maryport from Essex eight years ago. We see what Maryport Rescue are doing from our house, we know what important work they do. It's also my way of giving back to the community that has been so welcoming to me and my family."

A close-up of a framed painting depicting a coastal town with a boat on the water, under a dramatic sky.A close-up of a framed painting depicting a coastal town with a boat on the water, under a dramatic sky. (Image: Supplied)

The charity's annual running costs are around £43,000 a year, and any and all donations are gratefully accepted, so Roy's work will certainly be appreciated.

His exhibition at Shipping Brow Gallery in Maryport officially opened on August 28 and will run until September 29, with 50% of each sale going to Maryport Rescue. 

After just two hours of being open, one of Roy's artworks, which are often fast and loose impressions of Lake District views, had already sold.

The upstairs area of the galleryThe upstairs area of the gallery (Image: Supplied)

Living in Maryport gives Roy plenty of opportunities to paint harbour scenes, and this is represented in the exhibition, which is free to view.

Roy was thankful to the gallery for supporting new artists and local artists such as himself, and encourages everyone to come along.

He said: "If people need other reasons to come, the downstairs exhibition is always free for everybody, but the upstairs gallery has a permanent collection of Percy Kelly - the famous Cumbrian artist - and William Mitchell's artwork."

Anyone interested in viewing the upstairs gallery can do so for free if they have a CA15 postcode, or for £4 if they live further afar.

The gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11am until 4pm.