A WIDOW is hoping readers of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph can help in her quest to return a watercolour painted by one of her late husband's friends.

Morag Clark, of Formby, Liverpool, wants the picture of Guisborough Priory in North Yorkshire to be returned to East Lancashire artist and former serviceman Tommy Lord or his family.

Mrs Clark, whose husband Joseph served with Mr Lord in the Second World War, believes the soldier came from the Blackburn area.

She said: "Gunner Thomas Lord was stationed in 1941 at Marske by the Sea in North Yorkshire with the 75th Field Regiment RA.

"My husband was the Bombardier in charge of the group of men, whom he took out on map reading exercises. I believe that on occasions Tommy was dropped off to pursue his hobby and he gave one of the resulting water colours to Joseph."

Mrs Clark, 73, said the pair were separated soon afterwards but that the painting always held pride of place wherever she and her husband lived.

She went on: "I don't even know if Tommy survived the war but I would like to be able to return the painting to him or his family. My husband died some years ago and as I'm getting on a bit I just thought it would be nice to give it to someone who knew him rather than it be sold off when I am dead.

"I just feel that if there is someone who would appreciate it I would like to give it to them."

Anyone with any information about Mr Lord can contact Mrs Clark on 01704 873181 or write to her at 13, Jubilee Road, Formby, Liverpool, L37 2HN.

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