AN original painting of Llanddwyn, the home a Welsh saint, has been sold by a Fishguard art gallery.

St Dwynwen lived in the fifth century and became known as the patron saint of lovers and friendship. Her feast day is celebrated annually on January 25.

The oil painting was recently sold by West Wales Art Gallery to a German collector who first saw it during a holiday to Wales.

It is the work of Ceredigion artist Wynne Melville Jones and features the T?r Mawr lighthouse, one of strongest visual images at Llanddwyn.

Wynne said: "I’m all for the revival of interest in St Dwynwen’s Day with many people in Wales choosing to celebrate St Dwynwen rather than St Valentine’s Day.

“I think this is something all Welsh people should celebrate with events, greeting cards, flowers and candle-lit dinners. Not only can it boost the economy but it can generate much needed cheer and romance into Welsh life.

”It had crossed my mind as I was painting the picture earlier last year that Llanddwyn could bring back happy memories to some familiar Welsh courting couples, but at the time I never dreamt that it would find a home in Germany.”

Myles Pepper, director of West Wales Arts said the painting was included in an exhibition in May 2013 to mark the Urdd Eisteddfod's visit to Pembrokeshire

He said: “I have known Wynne for a number of years. His ability to create that special sense of place is a rare gift indeed.

“He sees it; he celebrates it and ultimately shares his gift with the viewer via the canvas.”