Grief journal leads Burnley postwoman to discover her hidden talent for art

As a way of trying to cope Judith, who works as a postwoman for the Royal Mail in Burnley, took to keeping a journal of her feelings. Some days she couldn't stop writing and other days the words just wouldn't come.

Judith said: "The writing led to poetry and then I started doing little sketches on the pages, mainly trees and nature, reflecting my childhood growing up on a farm.

"A friend bought me a sketch pad so I could do more then I decided I wanted to try doing something in colour so I bought some paints and palette knives and started to 'mess about' as I call it."

As painting helped her to cope with depression Judith, who turned 50 last year, posted some of her work on social media and was stunned at the positive response to her canvasses.

Judith, who lives in Padiham with her partner Greg and her two sons, Harry, a student at Manchester University and Bevan, who is in his final year at Shuttleworth Community College, said: "My painting comes from within, I never know what I am going to paint but it is always connected to nature in some way.

"I still don't think my work is that good, I don't think I ever will, but it if makes people happy and feel better that is all I can ask for.

"And I hope it encourages people to talk about depression and not feel ashamed or embarrassed about it."

Impressed with her work, staff at Rosegrove Post Office invited Judith, to put some of her paintings on display there.

Several canvasses have now gone on sale at the post office in Lowerhouse Lane and the proceeds will be divided between Pendleside Hospice and equipment for Judith to continue painting. Last year she raised £800 for the hospice through a series of bake, art and plant sales.