AN artist who died after suffering a heart attack at the wheel of his car is to have his work celebrated in an exhibition.

Luther Flood, 76, of Cliffe Drive, Limpley Stoke, was on his way to a meeting of the Freshford and District art group, where he was chairman, when his car crashed in Bradford on Avon on January 3.

Members of the group decided to arrange a retrospective display of his work and show off his drawings and paintings.

His wife Elizabeth said: "The whole aim of the exhibition is to celebrate the range and variety of his work which has been produced in the last 20 years," she said. "Art meant a tremendous amount to him. He was an industrial designer so had a talent of drawing buildings. He didn't want to draw for anyone else. He was a true artist. He was asked to do commissions but he much preferred to paint for himself for his own enjoyment."

The exhibition, which will be held at the West Barn, Barton Grange, in Bradford, will display 114 pieces of his work and a number of the drawings will be on sale, with 10 per cent of the profits going to the cardiac unit at Royal United Hospital, Bath.

The art group, which meets every Tuesday in Limpley Stoke Village Hall, decided to arrange the exhibition after it was suggested by group member Derek Perham. Mrs Flood said: "It was absolutely brilliant of them. The family are really pleased and delighted that we can share the work. "

Fellow group member Peter Warren said: "Derek Perham suggested the exhibition to the group and we thought it was a lovely idea. Luther was a lovely person. He was gentle and talented and a very helpful teacher. He helped with the art group a great deal."

Mr Perham described Mr Flood as a talented artist who was willing to help anyone, especially when it came to art. He said: "There must be many people who have his work on their walls. He always sold more pictures than anyone else in the group."

The exhibition is being held at the West Barn, Barton Grange, Bradford on Avon on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.