Well-known actor Christoper Biggins came to Bury St Edmunds at the weekend to support a charity art exhibition at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

Mr Biggins, who has appeared in many shows including comedy Porridge, opened and hosted the solo exhibition by Wendy Drew, from the town.

The event, featuring 54 works, was in aid of the Edmund Centre for Arts and Theology and Ormiston Children and Families Trust, which are two of the artist’s favourite charities.

Mr Biggins, who bought one of the paintings, said he had been friends with Mrs Drew and her late husband Peter for many years.

“I’m terribly impressed with what she’s done and I think it’s a marvellous exhibition,” he said. “I think it’s great we are also helping two fantastic charities.”

He also praised a later extension to the cathedral, saying it was “absolutely incredible” it was built in the 1970s.

Mrs Drew, who is on committees for the cathedral and Ormiston, said: “The cathedral was interested in getting more young people into the cathedral and I actually thought the sort of kids Ormiston helps would be the least likely in society to come to the cathedral.

“I haven’t had an exhibition since I left London.”

The works, including seascapes and those with an Indian influence, will be on display in the cathedral’s Edmund Chapel until today.

If all pieces sell about £25,000 could be made for the charities.

The Life Through a Lens photography exhibition, which is collection of photographs taken by young gypsies and travellers, will be on display in the Cloisters for three weeks. The youngsters were part of a photography project funded by Ormiston.