ARTIST Phil Hobbs needs little introduction these days. One of Cumbria's best known and highly rated painters, the Old Courthouse Gallery, at Ambleside, is hosting an exhibition by the county's own Canaletto - A Day in Venice: a Watercolour Journey, running until Sunday, November 5. The exhibition includes a selection of Phil's exquisite paintings of Venice, all of which feature in his new book Venice: A Watercolour Journey.

Phil has been visiting and painting around Venice for more than 20 years and together his paintings and his book give an insight into both the city in all its

splendour and the working life of the painter.

For further information telephone the Old Courthouse Gallery on 015394-32022.