A PAINTING by Oxhey's royal artist Beatrice Parsons is expected to achieve a record sum when it goes under the hammer in New York next week.

The work, titled Annunciation, is expected to fetch up to US$120,000, or about £61,000.

If the painting, which is 3ft 9ins by 6ft, does sell for that sum, it will smash the existing record for a Parsons picture, which is £20,700.

Miss Parsons lived for many years at 63 Kingsfield Road, Oxhey.

The works of Parsons, who died in 1955 when she was in her mid 80s, were much admired by Queen Mary and the Queen Mother.

Miss Parsons produced the Annunciation - due to be sold at Sotheby's in New York on Wednesday - in the late 1890s when she was in her late 20s.

Bushey Museum owns a couple of works by Parsons, who was also well known for her colourful pictures of plants and flowers.

Bryen Wood, managing director of the museum in Rudolph Road, said: "She was a very fine artist who illustrated a lot of books. She particularly enjoyed painting Oxhey Grange."

Miss Parsons' brother, Karl, who lived in Northwood, was also a talented artist, who worked mainly with stained glass.