A YOUNG Malvern artist has seen his latest work hung alongside top professionals at the Malvern Theatres.

Antony Bridge's painting Cotswold Storm was selected by Bill Nicholls, who runs the Cowleigh Gallery and organises the Theatres' exhibitions.

A former student at Dyson Perrins CE High School, Antony works as a graphic artist but uses his spare time to develop his artistic career.

Cotswold Storm was completed about a month ago and is based on a view from his house on the Wells Road. It is his largest work to date and took about two months to do.

"It's turned out really well," said the 24-year-old, "Every artist thinks they can do better next time, but I'm pretty pleased."

Antony used to visit the Cowleigh Gallery as a child and watched Bill Nicholls paint. Since then he has kept in touch and has regularly shown his work to Bill to ask his opinion.

He said he was very happy when Bill offered him a space at the Theatres.

"I'm with quite a lot of big name painters, so hopefully I will get more respect," he said.

Bill Nicholls said it was good to see Antony producing work worthy of the exhibition space and said he always hoped he would become a quality painter.

The latest exhibition runs at Malvern Theatres until mid-June and also includes works by Gordon Ward and Iain Black, both members of the Royal West of England Academy. Sue McDonagh has been shortlisted for Welsh artist of the year, while Martin Bentham records the local scene and characters from his hometown in the Mendips.

Cliff Handley regularly exhibits at the Old Vic and many London galleries and Eithne Donne is a much-travelled artist who creates colourful abstract vistas.

Also showing are local artists Ros Rowberry, former head of art at Malvern Girls' College, Cindy Jones, head of art at Malvern College, and Beth Barnes, who creates botanical studies in watercolour.

For more information, call the Cowleigh Gallery on 01684 560646.