Bush laps up UK jigsaw puzzles

The president received a puzzle of the family dogs for his birthday

President Bush is a fan of jigsaw puzzles and especially those designed by British painter Howard Robinson, according to Britain's Northern Echo newspaper.

The president is so fond of Mr Robinson's designs that First Lady Laura Bush asked him to paint the family's dogs - Miss Beazley and Barney - for a special puzzle given to the president on his 60th birthday.

Mr Robinson, from County Durham in the north-east of England, told the Northern Echo he was "thrilled" to receive the commission.

"But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the President of the United States of America would be sitting in Camp David doing one of my puzzles."

Mr Robinson said he received a "lovely" letter from Mrs Bush saying how much the family had enjoyed the jigsaw.

"It's nice of them to acknowledge my work," he said.

The company that distributes Mr Robinson's work has invited the Bush family to vote in its puzzle of the year competition.