A LITTLE slice of Holmfirth is to wing away across the world - thanks to artist Ashley Jackson.

Ashley, of Holmfirth, has produced his 2003 Christmas card.

And the card, featuring a painting of a frosty morning at Hinchliffe Mill, is destined to again become a worldwide bestseller.

Sales of the Christmas cards are expected to run into tens of thousands and there is a huge market among corporate companies in the United States and Australia.

Many others are snapped up by local people and sent to friends and relatives who now live abroad.

It is huge and lucrative business, with the cards retailing at £1.20 each, and a far cry from the artist's early days.

Ashley said: "I started off hand-painting Christmas cards 40 years ago and selling them for either one shilling and a penny or one and sixpence.

"But then I found they were being bought by art dealers and being put on the market in London as paintings for up to £200 a time.

"For the past 20 years we have chosen a scene and printed them and the take-up is amazing.

"They literally go to every corner of the world. We sell to banks, large corporate firms, to Government departments in many countries and to local authorities.

"But I love to see local people taking up the cards and telling me they are sending them to ex-pats."