Matchstick cats and dogs need a new home

TWENTY-one works by L S Lowry owned by Cheshire bookmaking magnate Selwyn Demmy will go under the hammer at Christie's auctioneers in London on Thursday.

The sale in London includes "The Playground", estimated at between 500,000 and 700,000, and is expected to raise at least 5 million. Mr Demmy plans to give some of the money raised to the RSPCA.

He said: "The Lowrys have brought me huge pleasure. But art is not my only passion and I have been committed to improving the lives of destitute animals for many years."