IT MAY be hard to sum up the beauty of the Cotswolds in just three words, but that is just what one artist is inviting residents to do.

Artist Darren Baker, who has won widespread recognition for his still life paintings and portraits of figures from Prince Charles to Freddie Flintoff, is inviting residents to tell him what they like best about the Cotswolds in just three words to inspire a painting to be auctioned for charity.

Darren will then create a still life painting – to be entitled The Painted Cotswolds – based on the suggestions, which will then be auctioned to raise money for Gloucestershire Young Carers and the local branch of The Stroke Association.

Both organisations have been adopted as Cotswold District Council’s official charities for 2012-13 by chairman Cllr Sir Edward Horsfall (Con, Ampney-Coln), who said he hoped residents got behind the campaign.

“It’s also wonderful to hear about the plans to get schools and art students involved,” he said.

“This is a real ‘win win’ – the charities will benefit, talented young artists will have a chance to demonstrate their skills, and the local tourism industry should also receive a boost on the back of the project.”

Three-word suggestions can be made to press@cotswold.gov.uk or by filling in a postcard at CDC offices in Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh or council-run leisure centres and visitor information centres across the district by April 26.