A painting of Sidmouth by one of Britain’s foremost maritime artists is being sold to a town resident to boost a charity.

Dedicated fundraiser Ursula Pratt is selling off the image, by Barry Mason, as she closes her Seaton shop.

Sidmouth galleries would have charged, but shop owner Steven Kendall-Torry offered to display it in Pure Indulgence as he used to live in one of the seafront properties depicted.

“Barry Mason is one of the top marine artists in the country, and he’s always been very good to us,” said Ursula, who moved to the UK from Germany more than 50 years ago.

“This is his only painting of Sidmouth – you have to wait years if you order one.

“He is like artists used to be.”

The painting is of the Esplanade in around 1905, and depicts a number of moored small boats alongside the Duke of Devonshire steamboat.

Ursula supports a different charity every year, but is undecided which charity should benefit from the sale of the painting, after 2013’s choice of Devon Air Ambulance. The gallery owner and artist said a good percentage of the £4,200 price tag will go to the chosen cause.

Ursula thanked all her regular customers at her Marine Crescent gallery, which she has run for three years, but said it was not sustainable as Seaton is so much quieter than neighbouring towns.

For more information about the painting, call her on 01297 553980.