An 18 year old art student from Portwrinkle is broken hearted after being told that a painting she had exhibited at Liskeard's Cancer Art Exhibition, held last week, has been stolen.

For Lisa Bushrod of Whitsand Bay View, who is in her second year at the Plymouth College of Art and Design, this was the first time she had shown her work, after being encouraged by artist and family member Mr D (Max) Bean.

The painting, Blue Moon, was discovered missing on the Friday, at about 12.15pm by the committee chairman of the Liskeard and District Cancer Research Campaign, Gail Scott, who notified the police. Thousands of paintings have gone through the shows over the last 32 years and Mrs Scott says this is the first time there has been a theft.

'We are incensed and upset both for the charity and for the young artist involved' she said. 'We make every effort to steward the event to the best of our ability but inevitably have to rely on the honesty of the public.

'We feel shocked and saddened that anyone could stoop so low as to steal from a charitable event, but we are living in hopes that the thief might suffer a feeling of remorse and that somehow the painting can be returned. The work was attracting attention and could well have been sold by the end of the show'.

Favourite

Mrs Scott said that earlier in the day a party of pupils from St Stephens Primary, Launceston, had toured the show, and had voted Lisa's work one of their three favourite paintings.

The children were upset when they were told the news by their head teacher.

Lisa, who had hoped to sell the painting for £35, has expressed the feeling 'that at least somebody thought it was worth taking' but she says it is no consolation and for the moment it has put her off exhibiting again.

Her mother, Mrs Julie Bushrod, said that her daughter is like any other hard up student and had hoped to make a few pounds for herself.

'She had paid to have the painting framed and also the showing fee. After the contribution to Cancer Research she would not have made much but every little helps' she said.

Mrs Bushrod said Lisa is a popular girl in Portwrinkle where she has lived all her life, and the whole village, as well as her family, have been devastated by her bad luck.

The painting, in acrylic, is signed 'Lisa 2000' and has a plain pine wood frame.

It is described as very blue with a tree in the foreground with leaves blowing down, with a background of blue sea with two peaks.

Anyone who is offered the painting, or thinks they may have some information should contact Liskeard or Looe police on 0990 777 444.

l The Cornish Times will be donating 'Blue Moon's' asking price of £35 to the Cancer Research Campaign.