BOLTON artist Gerry Halpin has beaten hundreds of hopefuls to get his work included in the annual Manchester Academy Exhibition

And he has several daredevil journeys leaning out of a light plane sketching views to thank for it!

Gerry -- the former head of art at Rivington and Blackrod High School who left to build an impressive reputation in the art world -- has had a painting entitled "Land Marks" accepted for the prestigious open event.

The show, currently being held at the Bury Art Gallery while the Manchester Gallery is being refurbished, attracts painting and sculpture from all over the country.

Only 345 are accepted, and hundreds rejected for the exhibition which runs until May 12. Gerry's painting was one of several unusual pictures which resulted from aerial views sketched from plane trips over the Bolton area and beyond.

"I suppose it is a rather unusual picture," agreed Gerry. "I rather enjoyed leaning out to get the sketches, and I'm delighted that one of the resulting pictures has been accepted."