THE artist who painted a controversial portrait of Stanley Baldwin for Worcestershire County Council is now teaching others how to paint.

Neill Lowdon, of St Peter's Road, Droitwich, has been painting full-time since he was 21. He was caught up in a political storm when he was chosen to copy a portrait of former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, the county's most famous politician.

He was commissioned after the original was taken from Shire Hall to hang amongst portraits of other leaders in the House of Commons. County councillor Ted Sheldon subsequently faced huge criticism for spending £4,000 from his chairman's budget on the copy.

But it went ahead and the reproduction was unveiled at County Hall in May last year.

Mr Lowdon has an honours degree in Fine Arts from Falmouth School of Art and also studied at the cole des Beaux Arts, Orlans, France, winning a prize from the Royal Academy after completing his studies in 1981.

He likes to paint and draw in the open air and will encourage his adult students to do the same.

"We may paint on the canals, or in the cloisters of Worcester Cathedral," he said.

His school of painting is held in the Old Library, Ombersley Street, Droitwich, on Thursday evenings.

To enrol on the course, call 01905 775805.