A RANGE of heartfelt messages and colourful creations have been added to a number of stones by local artists.

Members from the Carlisle and Cumbria Artists group have painted 10 stones with unique local landmarks to help raise awareness for Hospice at Home.

The charity, which is based on Barras Lane in Dalston, supports families across the county.

Each stone that has been painted represents one of the 10 areas where Hospice at Home helps people in Cumbria.

The stones will be hidden across the summer months by the charity’s volunteers, within the area they represent.

A message to the finder is on the reverse of each stone.

Finders are requested to take a photo, post the photo on the Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland Facebook page, then re-hide the stone for another person to find.

Legacy fundraiser Julie Blundell said: “Stone Painting is truly inspiring and helps to share our name and hence our message out to the wider community.

“The stones are genuinely beautiful and we very much value the time and effort each artist has given to paint such amazing iconic landmarks and scenery.

“We look forward to viewing lots of photographs of the stones as and when they are found and re-hidden.

“This summer appeal without doubt will help to increase awareness of our local charity which provides free of charge end of life care in the home to patients, whilst supporting families and carers.

“Thank you to all who has made this possible.”

Carole Golightly, a member of Carlisle and Cumbria Artists, painted Franks Bridge, a grade two listed building which spans the river at Kirkby Stephen.

She added: “I take my artistic inspiration from the Cumbrian landscape and usually work in mixed media, acrylic and collage.

“My stone is painted using acrylics. I hope it plays a small part in raising awareness for such an amazing local charity.”

Carlisle and Cumbria Artists will hold their 51st Art Exhibition for free from 10am-5pm between August 2 and 8 at Tullie House Function Room.

There will also be a raffle with a special prize of an Original Mixed Media Painting of Slater Bridge, Little Langdale by Carole Golightly.

The exhibition follows on from a successful 50th event last year at The Old Fire Station in Carlisle, which raised funds for Hospice at Home.