A volunteer has donated two special paintings to Portland’s Osprey Leisure Centre as a mark of gratitude. 

Artist, Paul Treacher had been attending a session at the centre in Castletown, organised by Portland Community Partnership and asked centre’s general manager if he could paint and donate the paintings as a gesture of appreciation. 

The detailed artworks show mid-flight osprey, also known as fish Eagles, catching fish. 

General manager, Nigel Williams said: “It was fantastic to be asked by Paul if we would like have a couple of original paintings that were pertinent to the centre which has our name and logo in the form of an Osprey, therefore I had no option but to accept his generous offer.”

Mr Treacher, who has been attending a regular Friday session at the centre for six months, spent three months completing the artworks. 

Mr Williams said: “The quality is outstanding and the outcome and final paintings are wonderful so I must thank Paul for donating his time and efforts into producing such fine examples of his work for all our visitors to see.”

Visitors have already commented on the detail and quality of the paintings but Mr Williams said keeping the paintings a surprise proved difficult. 

“The main issue I had was keeping the pending arrival quiet from other centre users as Paul paid me numerous visits updating me of progress,” he said. 

The paintings, which were produced at Mr Treacher’s White Horse Studio in Chiswell, can be seen on display at Osprey Leisure Centre. 

The Osprey Leisure Centre is managed and operated by the South Dorset Community Sports Trust, a charity that promotes community participation in healthy recreation through the provision of facilities in South Dorset.

The Portland Community Partnership works with local authorities, voluntary and statutory authorities to improve the physical and economic conditions of life on Portland. 

A five year translocation project to restore osprey breeding grounds to Dorset was launched earlier this month.