The former Sowerby Bridge Grammar School teacher quit the profession during his 50s to concentrate full time on his hobby.

His paintings, often depicting bleak Pennine vistas, deserted farmhouses, derelict mills and lonely valleys can sell for hundreds or thousands of pounds and a collection of his winter scenes are among the Tate collection.

Mr Brook, of Woodhouse Lane, Brighouse, recently received another accolade from the Tate, when it sel-ected one of his paintings for the Tate Desk Diary 2009.

A painting represents each week of the year and his Sheep Coming In With The Weather, which is a snow scene captured above Hebden Bridge, is used in December.

Other artists who have work in the diary include Francis Bacon, John Piper and John Nash.

"I have been lucky enough to do what I wanted and my satisfaction is knowing my paintings are now of a good standard because I have worked hard to stand the test of time," said Mr Brook.

"When galleries like the Tate take your paintings you know they will be looked at long after you have gone."

Mr Brook specialises in landscapes and winter scenes. Snow is heavily featured in his paintings and many include a border collie dog.

His reputation earned him an introduction to Hannah Hauxwell in the early 1970s after she became a reluctant TV star, famous for living in solitude and hardship at an isolated farm in Baldersdale, North Yorkshire, without running water and power.

Mr Brook described her as a fascinating woman he had got to know very well.

The meeting proved inspirational and over time he has painted around 50 pictures featuring Miss Hauxwell, who also is 80.

"I followed her about taking pictures and sketches. She became rapidly quite well known," said Mr Brook.

But, the Pennine hills have remained his most fascinating subject with the areas around Calderdale and Holmfirth favourite for his winter scenes.

"The white backgrounds stand out which is what I like," he said.

He still paints between 12 and 15 pictures annually and one fan has a collection of more than 100 – his work has been exhibited in the US and Australia.

Despite his advancing years Mr Brook said his age had not damaged his skill but today he no longer paints the very large pictures he once did.

He is a member of the Royal Society of British Artists and works from a studio above his garage and many of his paintings are now sold as limited edition prints.