ARTIST David Arnold has painted pictures to mark the opening of the Old Town Hall in Weymouth.

He has painted the oils – titled Emotional Warfare – to go on show along with his other works in the historic building on the harbourside in High West Street.

The pictures will be on exhibition for three days after the doors of the building are thrown open on Sunday, September 13 from 11am to 6pm.

The event is being held to mark the handover of the town hall from the borough council to its new custodians, the Chapelhay Community Partnership (CCP).

David, who grew up in Weymouth but now lives in north Dorset, said: “The paintings show the emotional side of being involved in warfare.

“As these are not in my usual style of working, I think of them as a separate entity from my exhibition portfolio.

“I was overwhelmed with the enthusiasm from voluntary supporters of the project and wanted to contribute to the venture as everyone is so generous with their time and energy.

“The warfare paintings will be displayed in the heritage exhibit in the Old Town Hall and my exhibition will be held in the downstairs Crabchurch Room.”

The CCP aims to turn the building – the site of a battle of Weymouth during the Civil War – into a heritage and community centre.

The upper hall on the first floor will retain the Old Town Hall name and will host a state-of-the-art heritage centre focusing on the battle of Weymouth during the English Civil War in 1645.

Artist Semi Vine, from Weymouth, has drawn an artist’s impression of how it may look.

The downstairs room – the Crabchurch Room – at the Old Town Hall will be used as a centre for arts and culture.

The word Crabchurch was used as a secret code by Royalist troops so that friend would not slaughter friend in the confusion of a night attack.

Other artists, including photographer Andy Sherlock, will display works alongside Mr Arnold’s pieces in the Crabchurch Room during the exhibition from 10am to 5pm on September 13 to 16.