RESIDENTS at Anglesey Lodge in Gosport showed off their talent to two local artists ahead of the Hampshire Autistic Society traditional summer fete there later this month.

Jan Milsom and Marsha Hale, both from Hedge End, paid a visit to the home which cares for people with autism to check out the paintings up for sale.

Mrs Milsom, whose autistic son Philip died three years ago, believes art is a vital tool of communication for those with autism.

She said: "If Philip hadn't had his art, I don't know what we would have done. It was so important to him and allowed him to express himself in a way he couldn't do with words."

An array of artwork by the residents will be on display at the summer fete, which also plays host to Millers Ark Animal Farm where children can enjoy petting lambs, piglets, miniature donkeys, chicks, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Other attractions include Lady Flanella the Fortune Teller, crazy golf, and candle, card, flower and cake stalls.

The event takes place on Saturday in Anglesey Road, Alverstoke, from 2.30pm.