AN East Lancashire artist’s painting in tribute to Nelson Mandela has been sold for 5,200 South African Rand.

Richard Pratt, who was born in Johannesburg and moved to East Lancashire in 2002, living in Great Harwood and Newchurch-in-Pendle before moving back to Cape Town in February, painted an oil image of Madiba in the hours following the statesman’s death earlier this month.

A former pupil of St Augustine’s RC High School in Billington and St Mary’s College, Blackburn, Richard put his painting up for sale by auction online at www.the-saleroom.com, with the final bid registered at the equivalent of £307.

All proceeds from the sale will be going to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Richard says living in South Africa and the UK has helped him understand Mandela’s impact on the country.

He said: “By living in the UK, a country that gives its people homes, healthcare and education, I can really appreciate the potential of what Mandela has given to South Africans.”