AN AMATEUR artist hopes to raise cash for disadvantaged children by painting celebrities.

Dave Pain, 59, has created portraits of Terry Wogan and X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole that he will auction for Children in Need.

He has also asked Mr Wogan to sign his to help boost the price.

Last night father-of-one Mr Pain said the stars were “national treasures”.

He said: “The X Factor affects all of us every year and keeps us glued to the television screen so it seemed like the perfect subject.

“I’ve always watched and donated to Children in Need because, as a father, you really appreciate the brilliant work it does for children.

“Painting these guys seemed like a quirky way to raise money.”

Mr Pain, who has a studio in Cumnor, started painting as a 14-year-old.

He worked as a carpenter and then property developer but says he never lost his love for painting.

Mr Pain said: “I normally paint portraits. I try to work from photos or the television to capture their personalities. Painting is very relaxing and gives me a huge amount of pleasure, so I really enjoyed doing this.”

Mr Pain, who lives in Wheatley with wife Sarah, said he is trying to arrange an auction ahead of the show, which will be broadcast on BBC1 on Friday, November 19.

He said: “I don’t have a clue how much the paintings will go for, but I hope they will raise a decent sum.

“If we can get the signature from Terry Wogan that would be brilliant because I imagine we will then get a lot more money. What would be brilliant is if we can raise a lot of cash for a very worthwhile charity.”

Mr Pain added he is looking into opening a new gallery near Blenheim Palace that will feature portraits of various well-known people who have “helped change British life”.