Judy Townsend, who served as the town’s mayoress alongside her husband Alan in 2009, died in July last year aged 74 after a battle with oral cancer.

Judy’s family are joining forces with the Shropshire Art Society to stage the Art at Ford House event in her memory between August 31 and September 2.

The art exhibition will feature works donated by members of the society, of which Judy was a long-standing treasurer.

Money raised from the sale of exhibited pieces will be given to Shropshire charity Severn Hospice, who helped care for Judy during the last six weeks of her life.

The event is set to take place at the Haystacks Barn, Ford House, Ford, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Richard Burbidge.

Alan Townsend said he and his three daughters wanted to continue fundraising for Severn Hospice and Art at Ford House would be a great event to help generate much-needed funds.

He said: “In life, Judy worked tirelessly to raise more than £20,000 for Severn Hospice and when she became ill we as a family found ourselves on the receiving end of the hospice’s excellent service and care.

“Judy would have loved the idea of Art at Ford House. She was a talented artist and I know she will be smiling on us and encouraging people to buy a painting for such a great cause.

“Art society members are being asked to donate a piece of work and both I and my daughter Sally will be joining in by offering our own paintings for sale.”

Wilf Langford, Shropshire Art Society chairman, said: “We wanted to find a way to honour the extraordinary contribution that Judy made to the society and at the same time support the charity Judy herself championed.

“Not only will it be a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to view the work of Shropshire artists in a particularly splendid setting, but it is hoped that the sales of the paintings and crafts on show will raise a significant sum for Severn Hospice.

“Ford House is a fantastic venue for the event and we are tremendously grateful to the Burbidge family for donating their gallery space to us on this occasion.”

Mike Perry, Severn Hospice’s community fundraising advisor, said: “We are very grateful to the Townsend family for their tireless efforts to fundraise for our cause over a number of years.

“We are very proud of this long-standing association and we wish Alan, his family and the Shropshire Art Society every success with the wonderful Art at Ford House event.”

Members of the public will be able to attend the event for free on September 1 and September 2 with the option to make a donation to Severn Hospice.

A ticket-only preview event is set to take place on August 31 when the exhibition will be officially opened by well-known actress and Severn Hospice trustee Gabrielle Drake and Paul Cronin, Severn Hospice chief executive.

A limited number of preview tickets are available, priced £10, from Alan Townsend on 01743 236302.