ARTIST Penny Butterworth's latest project certainly packs a punch.

The mother of two who works as a community artist has been hand cutting hundreds of pieces of ceramic tile for the first in a series of mosaics of Bolton celebrities.

The inspiration for her first piece was the iconic image of Olympic silver medalist Amir Khan.

Her next subjects to be immortalised in art will be radio DJs Sara Cox and Mark Radcliffe; comedian Peter Kay and musician Badly Drawn Boy.

The painstaking process of cutting the tiles and creating the image took three weeks at her Bolton-based studio.

Ms Butterworth said: "I decided on the theme of Bolton celebrities because I think these people deserve some recognition for their achievements.

"They are all an inspiration to kids and proof that it is possible to follow your dreams and be successful if you work hard and you're committed."

As well as her private commissions, Ms Butterworth has worked as a community artist for the Percentage for Art scheme, part of Bolton at Home, for the past four years.

Earlier this year she unveiled her latest public project - seven mosaics, commissioned by Bolton Council, depicting key aspects of Farnworth life which have been positioned around a tree planter and sitting area at the end of Brackley Street precinct.

The mosaics depict the coat-of-arms, the library, the town hall, the market, the war memorial, the precinct and Asda.

An exhibition of the celebrity portraits is planned for later next year.

For further information about her work call Penny Butterworth on 07743031283.