AN acclaimed Manningtree-based painter is displaying his work at a pop-up gallery to raise money for charity.

David Downes will showcase his artwork at a gallery in South Street, Manningtree to raise money for the National Autistic Society and Crohn's and Colitis UK.

David is a local artist with autism and is vice presidents of the National Autistic Society.

He grew up in Suffolk and attended the Royal College of Art in London.

David paints mainly from memory, observation and imagination.

He gained a commission by the BBC in 1999 and in 2000 became Artist in Residence to BBC Heritage.

In 2012 David was commissioned by the Savoy Hotel to paint the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. During this commission David was Artist in Residence at the Savoy - the first since Monet.

A spokesman said: "David’s work is regularly exhibited in galleries across the country and he has also exhibited extensively in the US including in New York, Beverly Hills and Orange County."

The exhibition is at 8 South Street and will run from Friday, May 31 until Sunday, June 16, opening from 10am until 6pm Thursday to Sunday.

Art lovers are invited to pop by to browse, chat, buy and donate.