WHAT started as an illustrated blog to keep in touch with friends during the coronavirus lockdown has turned into a NHS charities fund-raiser by Wootton Courtenay artist David Jessup.

Unable to have his usual September exhibition in Dulverton because of the pandemic, David channelled his creativity into producing a regular Lockdown Diary which he circulated to 20 fellow-members of Wootton Courtenay art group.

“My plan was to produce one picture a day during lockdown,” David said. “I managed to complete 60 watercolours and small oils in 60 days, along with diary items, random thoughts and memories, and someone suggested I should turn the project into a book.”

The result is ’Loose Connections – The Lockdown Diary of an Exmoor Painter’, now available as a 40-page book, price £8, with a third of the proceeds going to NHS charities.

The book is available from Exmoor Food and Crafts, The Avenue, Minehead, Periwinkle Tearooms, Selworthy, and [email protected].