AN ARTIST who has always dreamed of holding an exhibition is having his first - after waiting 63 years.

Steve Hallam, of Weymouth, will be exhibiting his work at the Mulberry Gallery, Weymouth Library, from August 30 to September 3.

Born in Oldham, Lancashire, in 1947, and at that time, being a cotton mill town with lots of tall chimneys, meant a lot of smoke and smog, which in turn, caused Steve as a young child, to be in and out of hospital with bronchitis.

During one of his stays in hospital when he was six years old, he was put next to an old man with cancer, who spent hours with pen and paper showing him how to draw.

It was then that he was smitten with the idea of bringing life to paper. Being a natural artist with no formal training, it has always been a hobby and in his career as a European coach driver, he found lots of inspiration at home and abroad.

Cartoons were his first love, drawing them for friends, family and people he met on his travels. Moving to Weymouth in 1997, he found the Dorset area an absolute gem, with its unique countryside and historic natural wonders, to try other areas of art, such as acrylic and watercolour. His pen and ink drawings are phenomenal and his exhibition is showing all local sites that everyone will recognise.

His art is from the heart and he can now cross this wish from his bucket list.

*The exhibition will be open at the same time as Weymouth Library.