TAKING part in the nationwide search for Britain's best amateur artist has been 'exciting and challenging' — according to one of its contestants. writes Amy Dennis.

Anthea Lay, from Callington, applied to take part in BBC's 'The Big Painting Challenge', which is currently airing on Sunday evenings on BBC One.

Filmed last summer, the six-episode programme sees the presenters, actress Una Stubbs and broadcaster Richard Bacon, take the amateur artists to stunning locations across the country for a series of painting and drawing challenges.

Anthea, now retired, is a former Wren — the Women's Royal Naval Service — and said painting had always been her hobby, including when she was in the Navy.

She was born in London, raised in Essex, and moved to this part of the world in the 1970s.

She said she tends to stay in the Tamar Valley to paint: "I love it and I am very fortunate. It's such a lovely place to be."

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