ONE of the region’s chocolate shops has featured in a new artwork by famous pop artist Sir Peter Blake.

Chocolate Fayre, in Barnard Castle, is one of 40 small businesses selected for the artwork High Street Heroes.

It shows 61 shopkeepers holding their tools, including Chocolate Fayre founder Kenny Walker.

The family-owned shop sells handmade chocolates and truffles and was set up by Mr Walker to provide a personal service where customers are known by name, and provided with expert knowledge.

Sir Peter, who designed the album sleeve on The Beatles’ Grammy Award winning album, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, decided to create the work to celebrate the nation’s independent shopkeepers.

He is also hoping the work will encourage more people to support Small Business Saturday, on December 6, which is the most important shopping event of the year for small shops.

The work has been commissioned by American Express, founder of Small Business Saturday in the US and an active supporter of the grassroots campaign in the UK.

Sir Peter said: "Small shops and the Great British Shopkeeper have been at the forefront of British culture for hundreds of years now.

“The notion of a ‘Nation of Shopkeepers’ is embedded in our folklore and the wonderful variety of today’s independent shops as well as the character that small businesses bring to a local area make them an ideal subject matter for modern pop art.

“Having worked at a local butcher at the age of 13 I have also experienced the dedication and hard work that goes into running a small shop.

“It is for all these reasons that I am thrilled to be lending my support to a campaign that champions small businesses.”

Mr Walker, 35, added: “Being a small shop owner I know my customers very well and strive to provide chocolate that they won’t get anywhere else.

“Being a part of a rare piece of art by Sir Peter Blake is something I’m very proud of – and I’m sure my customers will be too.”

The artwork can be downloaded for free until December 6 at amexshopsmall.co.uk