TWO leading outdoor artists have joined forces to raise funds for the volunteer-run Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team.

For the first time in his long career, watercolour and pastel artist Len Tabner has allowed a painting to be printed as a limited edition and sold to the general public.

Northallerton-based landscape photographer Joe Cornish has photographed and printed Mr Tabner’s Looking over to Roseberry and beyond from the Wainstones – after snow.

The rescue team transported Mr Tabner, of Staithes, and all his equipment to and from the inaccessible site in February. The original painting has gone on display in Mr Cornish’s Northallerton gallery, which will also sell the prints. Mr Tabner said he had wanted to help the rescue team as people tend to forget they are there until they are needed.

He said: “They do a marvellous job, as they know the landscape so intimately and work so well as a team. I want to support them in any way I can.”

Rescue team spokesman Barry Warrington, said: “This gesture by Len Tabner and Joe Cornish, two giants of the art world, will clearly have a significant impact on our fundraising activity.

“I feel sure that there will be no shortage of demand for the results of this limited edition print run.”