A High Wycombe artist has made a major art prize shortlist for his emotive painting of refugees. 

Stephen Burgess has made the finals of the prestigious 2017 MS Amlin World Art Vote prize for his painting called Refugee Rescue. 

Open to amateur and professional artists in the UK and Ireland the submitted artworks attracted more than 28,000 votes from art-loving individuals from around the world including Japan, Iceland, Mexico and Peru.

An amateur portrait artist, who has put paint to canvas for the likes of Lord Bath and Dame Vera Lynn, Stephen was inspired to paint his entry after viewing the documentary - Aleppo, Notes from the Dark.

His most "ambitious" painting to date, the piece captures the extraordinary moment of elation on the faces of 307 refugees as they look up at an Italian helicopter and realise they have been rescued and are safe.

Stephen said: "This painting signifies the small degree of hope that hopefully exists in us all. The painting took me 53 hours over the course of six weeks as I wanted to accurately portray the moment of euphoria in each and every face - the relief of rescue and a new life."

As well as receiving £1,000, the winning artist, to be announced at the end of September, will also have their work featured in the 21st National Open Art Exhibition at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf from November 17 to 26.