AN EDGWARE artist with ME has been given a chance to display her works at a newly reopened restaurant.

Lisa Baptiste, a 45-year-old mother of two, started painting as a way to alleviate her symptoms of constant fatigue when she was diagnosed with the condition five years ago.

Now her work has been put on display in the refurbished Sapori D'Italia in Mill Hill Broadway and was admired on the opening night following work to repair flood damage by chef Gino D'Acampo.

The former teaching assistant said : “The art really helps to lift me. I started doing it when I was working with the children and it awakened my creativity. I use it as a way to focus.

“I had been going to Sapori D'Italia for some time as a daily activity to get out of the house. I was devastated when it shut because of the flood.

“When it reopened I was in there and the owner said to me 'do you know any local artists?' and I sai well yes, me. That's how it started.”

The paintings now on display are mostly scenes of countryside and especially trees.

Mrs Baptiste said: ““The trees for me are a beautiful sign of new life and new beginnings, which is what I am trying to develop.

“When I developed ME I had to give up an awful lot, my life changed completely. I'd always been enormously active and worked since I was 17, but I had to give it all up.

“Now I have to pace my life more and rely on my family and friends for support. Hopefully I'll sell something before I die.”