Cotswold artist, Eleanor Campbell, is donating her painting of an Arctic polar bear in Tetbury to raise essential funds for its species.

The artwork, portraying a bear named the 'Grinch', is being exhibited at Spencer House Gallery in the town centre.

Ms Campbell said: "I first fell in love with the Grinch, as the bear was known, last year when I watched videos of her on Florian Ledoux’s Instagram page, which has 101,000 followers.

"She captured my heart. With his kind permission I had the opportunity to paint her portrait, based on his amazing film of her playing in the drift ice."

Cotswold Journal: The artwork, portraying a bear named the 'Grinch', is being exhibited at Spencer House Gallery

Mr Ledoux, a wildlife photographer, film maker and explorer, said: " In the fjord amongst the drift ice the Grinch, a unique and playful polar bear, turned broken ice into her personal stage, performing a daily show of resilience and joy.

“The Grinch was more than a bear; she embodied the spirit of freedom and the depth of joy inherent in wild creatures. However, on Svalbard the survival rate from den emergence to weaning is only 38%.

"She was just three-and-a-half years old when she died – but her playful spirit lives on in our memories."

Ms Campbell said his artworks portrays the power, beauty and tenderness of the polar bears and their fight for survival in the harsh environment.

She added: "The Grinch was very special. I hope I’ve captured her for ever on canvas and her legend will live on."

The 80 x 80cm framed piece, titled The Polar Explorer, became available for viewing and purchase at the Spencer House Gallery on February 12.

It is valued at £950.

All proceeds from the sale, contributed both by the artist and the gallery, will be donated to Polar Bears International, an organisation dedicated to safeguarding the bears and their natural habitat.

More information can be obtained from Chris Woodcock at the gallery on 07841 979273.