Max Ayres' paintings set to be restored after fire

Max Ayres said he was appreciative of the support he had received from the community since the blaze

An artist whose life's work was damaged when a fire broke out at his home has said he is grateful for the support to help restore his treasured paintings.

Max Ayres, 72, started painting at the age of eight, and had more than 1,000 pieces stored at his flat in Leigh.

But many of them were damaged or destroyed in the blaze in December.

In a bid to help, people from the community have rallied together to raise funds to cover the restoration of his work.

Mr Ayres told BBC North West Tonight he was "appreciative of the people of Leigh and beyond" for their support.

The artist, whose father sketched many buildings in Europe while serving in the armed forces in World War Two, has documented the changes in local industrial landscape in his art work.

"I realised that the industrial buildings were becoming fewer and fewer as more and more of them were being demolished," he said.

"So I decided to try to record as many as I could get round to painting."

Mr Ayres has also produced self-portraits, still lifes and scenes from around the north-west of England.

Before the fire, Spinners Mill, also in Leigh, had planned to exhibit Mr Ayres' work.

Mr Ayres' art work has now been moved from the fire-damaged flat

"Max was very worried and upset about his paintings," said gallery curator Angie Ryan.

"We organised ourselves to support him and rescue his life's work.

"A number of the oil paintings were brought out of the flat by one of Max's carers in his own spare time.

"Together we took them, a boot load at a time, up to the Horrocks gallery on the fourth floor of the mill."

More than 100 pieces are now being stored at the gallery.

The mill's trustees are crowdfunding to replace Mr Ayres' belongings and his art supplies and pay for expensive restoration work.

'From the heart'

Museums in Wigan and Liverpool and Lancashire County Council's cultural services team have given free expert advice to Ms Ryan and her assistant about restoring the work.

However, it is estimated the full cost of preserving the work could be up to £100,000.

Ms Ryan added: "Max is truly a local artist and this should be championed.

"His work is skilful and from the heart - we see changes in the landscape as well as in his own personal journey."

Councillor Chris Ready, portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods at Wigan Council, said it was "heartbreaking" to hear about "the loss of so much of his work".

"The council recognises the importance of Max's work that charts the changing nature of the borough over many decades.

"We are working closely with the team at Spinners Mill to find a means of restoring the rescued work and fulfilling Max's long held wish to have an exhibition at the mill."