NO jokes please about how many bank managers it takes to paint an artists' studio.*

A squad from Barclay's Bank in Gwent is helping renovate the Robbin's Lane studios which will be a Newport base for painters and sculptors.

As he set about painting a door frame Martin Gush, the bank's regional director said a team of a dozen bank employees would be spending two days putting finishing touches to what will be the first specifically-designed studios in the city.

"If the most junior member of staff on the job told me to pass him a brush or hold a ladder I'd have to do it," Mr Gush, who is originally from Newport and has been with the bank for 28 years, said.

"There's no rank while we're on this job. It's about working together and working for the community.

"Normally I'd be overseeing about 20 branches. It makes a change to be doing a bit of decorating. Actually, I'm not all that bad at it."

Barclay's area business manager Andrew Price, who is from Bassaleg, said it was the second time the squad had descended on a local good cause.

"We did some for a Scout troop before. An application from the owner of the art gallery who is developing the arts centre came in to us and landed on my desk.

"It's not strictly a charity but it's a good cause which will boost Newport's cultural life. We get something out of this because it brings all sorts of people from all parts of the bank and makes them work together."

Robbin's Lane was built as stables well over a hundred years ago. Janet Martin, owner of the GPF art gallery in nearby George Street says when they open in a few weeks the self-contained studios will be a tremendous resource for artists and sculptors.

"What with the opening of the Riverfront only a few hundred yards away Newport is set for an explosion in the arts but we badly need studio space.

"I am providing inexpensive places where creative people can work. After all, Parisian artists have their Left Bank."

The most junior man on the job was 19-year-old Robert Tam from Oakfield, Cwmbran, who has been a cashier with Barclay's for only six weeks.

As he slapped paint onto a wall inside the labyrinthine old building Robert said: "It's good fun and all in a good cause.I don't mind at all working alongside my bosses.

"Anyway, I'm a bit of a dab hand at this painting business."

* One. But hundreds take an interest.