MOST of the world's artists struggle all their lives for recognition. And some of them, like Salford's LS Lowry, have to die before anyone takes notice.

But amateur photographer Andy Smith has had a bit more luck, even if it has been achieved 6,000 miles away . . . in Canada.

Andy, of Newmarket Road, Little Lever, now sells more prints of his work across the Atlantic than in his home town of Bolton.

Andy visited his aunt and uncle in Vancouver, British Columbia, earlier this year.

The 33-year-old care worker took some of his prints to show family members how his hobby was progressing.

They were so impressed by his shots of light forms and nature scenes, they showed the prints to friends.

And within weeks of returning to the UK, Andy had received several requests via e-mail for copies from work colleagues and pals of his Canadian family.

A steady demand for the 40x50cm prints has resulted in Andy having around 50 shots reproduced and sold overseas through his aunt and uncle.

He said: "To think that people who have views of the Rocky Mountain range are looking at my pictures from Bolton is fantastic."

Andy is now trying to set up a website to showcase his work.

He says he will donate 10 per cent of profits to children's charity Derian House, for which he has worked as a carer.