TWO pieces of work by an artist living on Anglesey have been purchased by the National Football Museum in Manchester.

In 1952, Karel Lek, who lives in Beaumaris, painted a picture of Bangor City fans at Farrar Road and engraved a picture of Liverpool fans walking into Anfield onto a piece of wood.

The museum have now brought the two pieces from 89-year-old Karel's agent, Martin Tinney, for an undisclosed fee so that they can be put on display.

"It was a shock when Martin got in touch to tell me that they wanted to buy my paintings." Karel explained.

"They asked me if I knew where the Spectators in the Rain (Farrar Road) piece was and indeed I did.

"After I had failed to sell it at the Royal Cambria some 66 years ago, I had rolled it up and put it in a drawer where it has remained in this house ever since. I was flattered to hear that they wanted to buy it!"

Karel says researcher Emma Hadley contacted the Martin Tinney Gallery in Menai Bridge to register the Football Museum's interest in purchasing his work.

His wood carving - Off to the Match - depicting Liverpool fans, was displayed at the Football Association's 90th anniversary exhibit in London in 1953.

It was also featured in the Football and Fine Arts book, released in the same year, which displayed work by English artist L.S. Lowry.

Both of Karel's paintings are to be displayed at the National Football Museum alongside a video of an interview conducted between him and Emma Hadley at the Menai Bridge gallery.

Karel, spent six years at the Liverpool College of Art and says that his drawing of fans outside Anfield came about by pure chance.

"I never had an interest in football, but some friends at the hostel I was staying in invited me along to a match one day in my last year at college." he explained.

"Whilst there, I started sketching out my painting as the crowds poured into the stadium.

"I was more interested in the people than the actual football match itself."

His love for art began as a four year old when his father would take him to museums in Antwerp, Belgium, where he grew up idolising the works of Belgian artists such as Constant Permeke and James Ensor.

In 1940, Karel moved to Bangor as an 11-year-old when his father found employment in the city. He lived there for 17 years, before moving to Beaumaris where he still resides today.

In March, he will visit the Joseff Herman Foundation in Ystradgynlais to be honoured for his contribution to art and Welsh movie star Michael Sheen will welcome him to the stage.

Karel says he will take the opportunity to talk of how Wales inspired him and how he adapted to living in the country as a young boy.

"All I ever wanted to be was a painter and coming to Wales really helped me achieve my dream," he said.

"I have had the pleasure of painting so many people and so many places over the years.

"When you are dead, you're work becomes your heart and your name becomes a brand. I hope I will have left behind a legacy."