WHEN artist Vaughan Parker was asked to do a painting for charity, he looked at the bigger picture.

So big in fact that it measured 8ft x 36ft and took him a year-and-a-half to complete.

The painting, which stands in the garden of the Charles Street mental health centre in Glossop, was officially unveiled on Thursday by High Peak MP Tom Levitt.

It features lifesize portraits of service users, staff and neighbours and even a local cat and dog!

The centre is a place close to Vaughan’s heart as he was treated there following an industrial accident.

"I was referred there after my injury at a time when I wasn‘t doing any painting at all," he said.

"They really helped me and I wanted to give something back.

"It’s been a real labour of love because I’ve been working on it every day for the last 18 months but I’m really happy with it. It was an emotional day."

Vaughan, of Tredcroft Street, photographed more than 50 people and pets which he then painted onto nine panels.

The artist, whose Remembrance Sunday scene hangs in Glossop Town Hall, also found time to create full-size paintings of Mr Levitt and High Peak Mayor Jean Wharmby which he presented to them on the day.

More open days are planned for the future and Vaughan is currently designing a range of animal figurines which he plans to sell for the centre’s charity Gloss.

"It was quite exciting to finally see it all together and I’ve had a lot of positive feedback" he added.

"It’s really given Gloss a purpose, it’s a historical record for the centre and a boost for the rest of Glossop."