WHEN Steve Haywood was a lad his mother used to take him to the art gallery in Birmingham for a cheap day out and as an alternative to a walk in the park.

She would talk to him about the artists and the paintings and the young boy was fascinated.

Steve was dyslexic, and could not read until he was 11 years old. He saw words as patterns on a page painting pictures like the brush strokes on the huge canvasses in the gallery.

He turned to painting early in life and says that he cannot remember a time when he didn't paint. But what is surprising is that Steve is also a published writer and a member of the Society of Authors.

His children's stories have proved popular with all ages, with such titles as Colin the Constable, The Nits of Follicle Wood and The Tins of Dentler.

They were written initially for his own daughters and as yet only eight stories have been published but he says there are about 85 in all, along with a couple of novels "just waiting to go".

Steve, 50, moved to Alcester a year ago and lives in the hub of the town which he has grown to love.

"This is the best thing that has happened to me," he said. "I love this place. There's always something going on and the people are incredible. Shop(keepers) treat you like a human being and everyone is willing to give you a chance.

"I came from Birmingham where I was quite well known and here I feel like a big pea in a small pod but I love it."

Steve is concentrating on painting at the moment and has turned his attention to abstract work. He has just completed a four-piece work entitled Holiday, which is on display at Contemporary Classics in High Street, Alcester.

It is his interpretation of the emotions and memories of a holiday - the sun, sea, sand, people and buildings - and there will be 95 signed copies available.

The paintings will also be on show in Alcester Town Hall on Saturday along with more of his and other artists' work in an arts festival organised by Kerry and Andy Head, of Contemporary Classics. Doors open at 9am and close at 5pm.

Steve will be on hand throughout the day to talk about his work and offer advice from a "self taught artist" along with Kidderminster painter Alexander Millar.

Work on display will also include paintings by Rolf Harris, Nel Whatmore, Royo and Domeniech.

Steve's next project is a themed exhibition which he plans to stage in Birmingham, going back to the city where his passion was born.