THE assistant manager of a Redditch shop has written the only book in existence which will help people create beautiful artistic impressions of their favourite photographs using a computer programme.

Martin Addison, who works at WH Smith, has just completed his detailed book on the use of the "Painter" programme and Focal Press has agreed to publish it.

The programme allows people to get a digital photograph on the computer screen and then choose from 600 different paintbrushes and many types of paint and canvas - allowing the user to create finished pictures which look as though they have been painted by hand.

Mr Addison said: "It's amazing how different a painting looks compared to the original photograph, you can create wonderful things with the help of Painter.

"I occasionally do demonstrations on the use of it and people kept asking if I could recommend a book which would give them more help on the subject but I couldn't because there simply wasn't one - until now.

"I've been a keen photographer for most of my life and have been using Painter for about six years. You don't have to be an artist to use it as the computer does most of the work for you. The end results can be outstanding."

Mr Addison's book is due to be published at the end of May.