A PAINTING featuring the Lord Mayor of York in his underpants is causing quite a stir ahead of a charity raceday.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Ian Gillies, is backing the Macmillan charity raceday and has signed an original oil painting to be auctioned off for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The painting not only features York’s Mansion House, it also shows a Lord Mayor - not the current incumbent - in his underwear.

The cheeky creation is a nod to a Teesside art theft. Artist Sean Durkin, 51, from Middlesbrough, is the son of John Durkin, who hit the headlines in 1972 when he stole a Lowry painting from the old Art Gallery in Middlesbrough.

After taking the picture, which depicted various Middlesbrough landmarks, he demanded the mayor of Middlesbrough raffle off his underpants to aid research into cancer in order to secure its safe return.

Sean’s painting is being auctioned online in support of Macmillan Charity Raceday on Saturday, June 13 at York Racecourse.

Sean said: “It’s very good of the Lord Mayor to support Macmillan Charity Raceday and sign the painting. I hope it will help raise some money for such a great cause.”

Cllr Gillies said: “I was delighted to hear about the work of Sean Durkin, and the intriguing story of his father, to which the painting relates.

"Macmillan Cancer Support is a wonderful charity, supporting both patients and their families through very difficult times, and I was delighted to offer my support to Sean.

"As a keen race goer myself, it is wonderful to hear that York Racecourse is supporting the charity through the annual Macmillan Charity Raceday once again.

"It is always a wonderful occasion, and I hope that everyone will support the day, through attending and filling the collection buckets, as well as taking part in the auction for Sean’s artwork."

Macmillan Charity Raceday features a full card of professional racing alongside charity lunches, a race for amateur riders, auctions, raffles and collections for Macmillan. Last year, the Macmillan charity raceday attracted a crowd of more than 28,000 people who helped raise £365,000.

Hayley Cooke, Macmillan special events manager, said: "Thank you to the Lord Mayor and Sean for supporting Macmillan Charity Raceday. Money raised will make such a difference for people affected by cancer."

The raceday event has been held annually since 1971, raising more than £6.2 million in total for Macmillan and other charitable causes. To purchase tickets for Macmillan Charity Raceday, visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk. To bid, visit www.macmillanyorkraceday.com