ARTISTS from across North Yorkshire are drawing together to help raise funds for a local charity.

More than 60 artists from York, Harrogate and Knaresborough are submitting work for the ninth Horticap art exhibition, which starts today and runs until Saturday at the Wesley Chapel, in Harrogate.

Horticap is a registered charity at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries, near Harrogate. It provides horticultural training, education and supported employment for people with learning disabilit-ies in Knaresborough, Harrogate, Ripon, and Pateley Bridge. Since the first exhibition, £26,000 has been raised for the charity and many of the paintings are exhibited for sale, with prices ranging from £35 to £625. Twenty five per cent of each sale goes to Horticap.

There are more than 40 students who attend the nurseries on a full or part time basis. They are given training in a range of crafts and activities including planting bedding plants, hanging baskets and urns and making flower decorations, arrangements and garden furniture, which are sold in the nursery shop.

Anne Moore, honorary secretary of Horticap, said: "We are delighted to be able to hold this exhibition again and our thanks go to the many artists and volunteers who have supported us over the years."

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm today and Friday and from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday. Entrance is free and tea and coffee will be served.