FUNDS from a cartoon competition in a Ledbury fruit and vegetable shop will go to charity.

We ran a front page picture just before Christmas showing dozens of caricatures of well-known town residents which had been penned by Ledbury artist Simon Cooke.

The artwork is on display at Jenkins’ shop in The Homend with Mr Cooke asking customers to name as many of those featured as possible.

Money raised from the £1-a-go competition for people to name the Ledbury characters featured will go to St Michael’s Hospice which is based in Bartestree, near Hereford.

“It’s a local hospice so we thought we would put the money towards that. A lot of people have been there or know of others who have,” said Sharon Brace, who works in the shop.

“We’ve had lots of comments from customers.”

She said the shop has decided to extend the competition until February.

Entry forms are available in the shop.

First prize is a caricature made specifically for the winner by Mr Cooke, worth £90. Second prize is a fruit or vegetable basket worth £20 while third and fourth prizes are £20 shop vouchers.

Mr Cooke says he plans to upload a You Tube video showing how he made the artwork early this month (January).

Those online should search the website for the ‘Ledbury High Street Cartoon’.

“People have shown a lot of interest,” said Mr Cooke, who is 49 and lives above the Jenkins shop.

“Ledbury is such a wellsupported community with businesses looking out for each other.”

The competition will close early in February.