His art show was a highlight of the TV week for a generation of British children. Now former Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan is using his artistic talents to raise funds for sick children.

‘A Little HOPE’ is a new ready-to-hang canvas by the real life artist portraying two children saying their bedtime prayers.

The charming painting is part of his Hope Street series of paintings taking a nostalgic look at a time when children made their own adventures outdoors and before computers and cyberspace had confined child’s play to the bedroom.

Ten per cent of proceeds from sales 'A Little HOPE' will go to Alder Hey children’s hospital in Buchanan's native Liverpool.

The painting is named after Hope Street, where Buchanan grew up in Liverpool. It is also the only street in England to be home to both a Church of England and a Catholic cathedral.

The series, he says, does not so much depict a place as a “state of mind”.

“As a child, every night we would pray for health, happiness, peace and love ‘cos where there is love there is always hope," he said.

“Having worked with children for two decades, it seemed highly appropriate to create a collection of art based on children and to donate some of the sales to the fantastic work done by the Alder Hey.”

‘A Little HOPE’ is priced £75 and can be ordered online at www.neilbuchanan.co.uk