THE Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales will be the centrepiece of a new art exhibition that will help to raise funds for their upkeep.

Pastel artist Lucia Smith will be showing some of her work in the Yoredale offices of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority from Friday. She will donate 30 per cent commission on any sales to the Three Peaks Project, which was set up in 2009 to enlist the help of people who visit Ingleborough, Pen-y-gent and Whernside, to help protect and enhance the area and the rights of way network into the future.

The Three Peaks attract about 250,000 walkers a year, which has a serious impact on the footpaths.

Ms Smith is the latest artist to stage a display in the reception area of the offices.

"Living, working in, and walking on the Yorkshire moors is a constant pleasure – whatever the weather," she said.

"In my search to find more moorland contours with which to play, in the last two years I’ve rediscovered the Three Peaks area for myself – and revelled in their familiarity and grandeur. A recent 50th birthday was marked by climbing each of them individually, taking time to breathe in the scenery, with the resulting Three Peaks and Moor collection of work."

More information is available on her website at www.luciasmith.co.uk