A "scruffy" dog has earned a tidy sum for a Bredgar mum.

Becky Mair from Stiff Street Farm was among the prizewinners at a national awards ceremony.

The mum-of-three was named Fine Art Trade Guild’s best-selling published artist at an event held in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The big draw was her painting of Heinz 57 mongrel, Scruffy, a private commission which has gone on to sell nearly 150 printed copies.

Farmer’s wife, Becky, 48, who became a professional artist three years ago, said she was as surprised as anyone when her pet portrait, which sells at about £160, became a hit.

She said: “I produced three different versions of the dog and the client chose the one showing it moving.

“My publishers said ‘Let’s see how it goes’, when I approached them about putting it out and it’s absolutely walked out the door ever since.”

Dogs, cockerels and horses are Becky’s creative speciality which she produces using the abstract method employed by American artist, Jackson Pollock.

It involves drizzling paint direct from a moving pot or tube held above the canvas.

The results of this imaginative artistry can be seen at her home studio and in galleries nationwide.

Becky turned to painting full-time after qualifying from the University for the Creative Arts in 2004.

She said she was sorry to miss out on collecting her award in person, but had a more pressing date to attend - the Walk the Walk challenge in London in aid of breast cancer.

Her team, The Bredgar Bobbies, raised nearly £1,000.

She said: “I was really surprised to have won. It was the icing on the cake after a gruelling 13.8 mile walk around London overnight.”