Cushing's art to go under hammer

Peter Cushing's famous roles included Sherlock Holmes

A series of artworks by horror actor Peter Cushing are expected to fetch £12,000 at auction later this month.

The watercolours, painted at the late star's home in Whitstable, Kent, will go on sale in Canterbury on 18 March.

Cushing, famed for his roles as Baron Frankenstein, Dr Van Helsing in Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, painted to escape the rigours of his acting career.

He was honoured with an OBE in 1989 for his services to the film industry and died of cancer five years later.

Cushing captured the harbour at Whitstable

Thirteen of Cushing's paintings in the sale were used for the 2008 calendar from the Pilgrims Hospice, where the actor died.

He was taught to paint under the guidance of British artist Edward Seago.

The actor, whose first screen credit was in 1939, appeared in more than 100 films and television shows.

He also made Hollywood movies, including The Man In The Iron Mask and Star Wars in 1977.