An artist who fled torture and killings in her native Zimbabwe has started a new life in Sussex.

Phati Siphatisiwe's friends were murdered by followers of president Robert Mugabe.

They and her family belong to the Matabele tribe which has been persecuted for its opposition to his despotic regime.

The Zanu PF party was also behind the killings of white farmers as so-called war veterans loyal to Mr Mugabe drove them from their land during last year's elections.

Phati, 31, feared her paintings, which reflect the troubles in Zimbabwe, would lead to her being persecuted.

She decided to make a new life for her family but was forced to leave her children behind with her mother in Bulawayo while she established herself here.

Phati set up home in the Poets Corner area of Hove after the troubles in Zimbabwe began five years ago.

Her children Gavin, 12, and Victoria, ten, followed a year later and are now happily settled into local schools and are part of the growing community of Zimbabwean refugees.

Phati, a nursing assistant at a hospital in the city, said: "I have lost friends who were murdered by Zanu PF. Even here I have to be careful what I say.

"I would describe myself as an artist for peace in Zimbabwe and there is a message in my paintings about that.

"If I had remained there I feel that I would have been persecuted as my work became better known."

Phati believes the England cricket team is wrong to play against Zimbabwe in the world cup next month.

She also thinks Mr Mugabe's offer to step down as president in exchange for immunity from prosecution for his crimes will make little difference.

She said: "I hope if he goes it will be the start of a change for the better in Zimbabwe but I don't think it will be.

"The regime there is so corrupt that it would need all his followers to go as well before there was any real difference.

"If he does go, I think it will only be to pay lip service to world opinion.

"If the England cricket team refused to play in the world cup it would send a message to the whole world.

"The fact that they will refuse to shake his hand in public will make no difference at all as their presence in Zimbabwe will be seen as approval by Mugabe and his supporters."

Phati said that many of the white farmers whose ranches were seized were born in Zimbabwe and the land had been theirs for generations.

She said many black Zimbabwean farmers had also had their land taken.

She splits her time between her family, her job and her painting. Her work is exhibited at the QEH Theatre in Bristol.

One striking painting consists entirely of black, white, yellow and red palm prints which Phati created as a statement that all races and creeds can exist in harmony.

A paint and acrylic canvas of a group sitting in quiet contemplation symbolises her belief in hope and unity.

Phati is trying to find a gallery in Brighton and Hove where she can show her work when the exhibition in Bristol ends next month.