WORLD renowned Scots artist Peter Howson has revealed his latest project will feature paintings of Celtic FC founder Brother Walfrid.

Howson, 50, has captured the marist brother on canvas after being inspired by his work tackling poverty and illness in Glasgow's east end.

The artist will work on four images before 1,888 copies are sold to help raise money for the Archdiocese of Glasgow, including St Mary's Church in Calton.

All of the prints are to be signed by Howson and Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow.

St Mary's parish played a vital role in the Parkhead club's formation in 1888, helping the area's Irish Catholic community.

It was also the church where Celtic legend Tommy Burns' funeral mass was held in May.

Howson, a former alcoholic and drug addict, has told how the story of Brother Walfrid inspired him to pick up his brushes.

Howson, who has previously raised thousands of pounds for charity by painting Hoops hero Henrik Larsson, told the Celtic view fanzine: "I didn't really know the story of Brother Walfrid that well.

"That he spent his whole life dedicated to helping the poor and that he started a small club that turned into Celtic is amazing.

"The more I heard about him, the more I thought I'd love to do a painting of Brother Walfrid.

"He interests me a lot. He's a fascinating figure, a strong character, incredibly humane.

"It would be good if it could be brought to people's attention and bring them back to their roots, to what really happened in that area of Glasgow and all the amazing work Brother Walfrid did.

"He was an amazing man. I would love to have known someone like him. He's just got a sadness about his face.

"It's really as if he's carrying the whole weight of the world on his shoulders and that's how I portray him - as suffering for people."

Howson also revealed he has deliberately not viewed the statue of Brother Walfrid which stands outside Celtic Park in the east end of Glasgow.

He added: "I've seen Brother Walfrid images with all the Celtic players round him, and it's good, still good.

"But this is a different thing all together, although I might do one with Celtic players.

"I've intentionally not even seen the statue at Celtic Park because I think it would affect me too much if I actually saw the piece itself.

"I have looked at a couple of very old photographs and it has given me an idea.

"But if you have too much photographic material you can't do it as well."

Last night, Monsignor Peter Smith, the parish priest of St Mary's told how Howson had visted the church.

He said: "I have met with Peter on several occasions and spoke at length about the history of St Mary's.

"He was fascinated to know about the work carried out by Brother Walfrid and how the roots of Celtic were founded here."

William O'Neill of Glasgow Art Gallery Art and Soul, added: "Peter has thrown himself into this project.

"It is very dear to him and he truly believes in it. He has been inspired by Brother Walfrid's story and the good he did.

"The prints will be sold and then a decision on the four original works will made after that."

Brother Walfrid was the religious name of Andrew Kerins, an Irishman who moved to Scotland in the 1870s.

He founded The Celtic Football Club as a means of raising funds for the poor and deprived in the east end of Glasgow.