FORMULA ONE legend Nigel Mansell pulled up in a North Yorkshire village to back a charity art show.

The former motor racing world champion opened an Art For Youth North display, at Queen Mary's School, Topcliffe, near Thirsk.

He was there in his role as president of UK Youth, a national charity helping more than 750,000 young people to realise their potential and raise their aspirations.

He said: "It's wonderful to be here and to be able to help kids achieve a series of activities.

"Five years ago, we got 85 per cent of our funds from the Government and now, due to events like this, it's only 15 per cent.

"We have upwards of 45,000 volunteers who, during a year, can help up to one million kids."

The exhibition, being held at Topcliffe for the first time, features more than 600 works for sale by 80 local and national artists.

Head teacher Robert McKenzie Johnson said: "It's nice to help the charity and its aims are the same as ours, in that it helps children develop."

Simon Hills, chief executive of Art For Youth North Yorkshire, said: "We try to help young people decide what they want to do and then support them in doing it."

The show is free to the public, with doors open between 9.30am and 2.30pm today.