A MAN who worked as a Free Press typesetter for more than 50 years treasures an oil painting that he was given by relatives of the newspaper's founder.

Jack Blake, now aged 85, of Manor Road, Hazlemere, wants readers to help him find out more about the picture of Marlow Hill Gardens.

The picture showing a garden scene at the foot of Marlow Hill was given to him in 1985 by the granddaughters of Free Press founder William Butler.

He met the sisters, Joan Vine and Julie Butler also of Hazlemere, when he worked as a part-time gardener after his retirement. They gave him the painting as a present after hearing he had worked at the Free Press for 51 years.

But despite efforts to find out about the unsigned painting his only clue has been a photographic memoir entitled 'Around Wycombe in Camera' by Ivan G Sparkles which he came across in Wycombe Library.

"The book tells of an old tunnel passageway between the two Wycombe Abbey lodges or gatehouses allowing garden produce to be brought from the market garden which now forms the site of Staples, on the opposite side of Marlow Hill to the abbey itself," he said.

"So far this is the only clue I have found that there was some sort of a garden here but it's strange that there seem to be very little else in the way of records. It's a puzzle I would like to solve. The painting was an unexpected and treasured gift."

Anyone who can help identify the painting should call Memories Reporter Michelle Fleming on 01494 755151