A SELF-TAUGHT artist has beaten off international competition to scoop a top award.

Duff Pearce, 61, of Trinity Terrace, Weymouth, won the Purchase Prize from the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol.

Over 320 pieces were entered in the competition, which included artists from Japan and Sweden. As part of the prize, his piece, Projective Hexagon Number One, was bought and is on display at the academy.

Mr Pearce, who has lived in Weymouth for 16 years, said: "I was shocked when I got it. It's quite flattering that they bought it, as there were other pieces there that I considered to be magnificent.

"My work is not what you would call run-of-the-mill. I just do what I enjoy doing."

Mr Pearce has worked as an artist and part-time teacher all his life and said that it was his daughter who inspired him to try print work in 1996.

He specialises in three-dimensional pieces using a 165-year-old press installed at his home and has exhibited his work in Southampton, Bournemouth and Dorchester.

Mr Pearce added: "All my work is based in and around the harbour. I get ideas from the parasols, fishing boats and the town lights. It's a great environment for an artist."