A DAUGHTER has paid tribute to her father who has left a legacy through his artwork.

Second World War veteran Sydney Haslam died aged 93 on April 9, following a short illness.

During his lifetime, Mr Haslam created hundreds of paintings, many of which were given away or sold. His talent was even recognised by LS Lowry.

The artist, from Hulton Lane, Deane, donated one of his paintings to Bolton Museum just three months before he died.

Following an appeal in The Bolton News, readers have sent in some of his paintings, including a life drawing.

Mr Haslam enjoyed art as a schoolboy, often seeing it as an opportunity to avoid doing homework.

Leaving school aged 14, he worked at Webster's Wood Yard and one Saturday in 1942, aged 17, he volunteered for the Royal Navy. He received his papers on his 18th birthday.

Mr Haslam had been a keen painter all his life. During his time in the Royal Navy, he would supply his fellow sailors with "pin-ups" for their walls and the captain encouraged him to bolster morale.

His daughter, Louise Hutchinson, said: "After the war, he chose an art course. Tutors at Hilden Street Art College initially thought Syd was simply a pin-up artist — he proved them wrong."

In 1960 he married his wife Lina and moved to Hulton Lane where they had Louise and Robert. Six years later he was to find his art being praised by LS Lowry himself, who commended his oil painting of Churchgate at a civic exhibition. Bolton Art Gallery purchased it.

Mr Haslam encouraged his son Robert's interest in art and even attended classes with him.

Art teacher Tom Smith said: "It was immediately obvious that Syd was already an accomplished artist. He thought with his eyes and was able to create interesting pictures from what he saw. The way he painted was assured, spontaneous and sophisticated.

"He was doing a painting of the Town Hall at an adult learners event in a terrible rain storm — someone held an umbrella over him until he finished it! Nothing would put him off!"

Ms Hutchinson said life drawing was his real passion.

She said: "Wherever there was a group with a model he would be there. His figure studies are quite stunning. He continued to enjoy life classes until his nineties."

Mr Haslam loved to encourage children to draw and was delighted to be asked to provide art workshops for St Mary’s Deane Primary School.

His health began to deteriorate in the last few years and after a number of hospital stays in 2016, his son Robert became his full-time carer.

Ms Hutchinson said: "Like every artist he valued recognition. A real highpoint was Bolton Art Gallery using his image of Churchgate to publicise their Local People and Places Exhibition in 2014. He was also over the moon when the Royal Academy wrote to him to thank him for a drawing.

"In January this year he was delighted to receive a visit from the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton to receive his painting of the town hall captured on that rainy afternoon under an umbrella.

"For him drawing came as naturally as breathing. It was just something he did with amazing results."

He would have been 94 this week.