GALLERY owner and picture framer Drew Wilson found himself up against the clock when he was asked to take on a portrait by acclaimed artist Theo Platt who has recently moved to Harpenden.

Theo was looking for a picture framer who could do justice to his latest commission, a portrait of the retiring Master of The Royal Signals, General Robert Baxter.

With the deadline of the official unveiling fast approaching a chance visit to the town station brought him into Drew’s gallery – and the race against time was on.

After a hectic few days the portrait was finally fitted into the frame on the morning of the event at the Officers Mess.

Drew joked: “I’d like to think it was all done with military precision!”

Theo, who studied at St Martin’s School of Art during the eighties, had his first commission to paint Lord Havers as the Lord Chancellor.

He has exhibited with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The National Portrait Gallery in London and been commissioned by The Scottish National Portrait Gallery to paint Sir Jackie Stewart.

His royal portraits include the late Princess Diana and The Countess of Wessex and family.