AN EAST Durham pensioner's decision to give up smoking has helped breathe fresh air into her hidden talent.

Following her retirement, Thomason Young Taylor decided she could no longer afford to smoke. Her family bought her a set of oil paints and brushes to help take her mind off smoking and Ms Young Taylor began to paint.

Now an exhibition of her work will go on display at the Discovery Centre at Seaton Holme, in Easington Village, from February 27 to March 27.