AN ARTIST drawn to Wharfedale by the magic of its landscape is to exhibit the scenes he has captured of the area.

Greg Learmonth, of Station Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale, is to make his debut at the British Society of Painter's Spring Exhibition, in Ilkley.

Among his exhibits will be visions of Wharfedale, which inspired him to move to the area.

He said: "Painting is one of the major reasons why I moved to Wharfedale.

"I used to come up quite a lot to visit my sister, in Otley, and the

architecture and the history of the place struck me.

"The moors have a magical effect for everyone."

Mr Learmonth, formerly of Hertfordshire, said he hoped his inclusion in the hugely-respected exhibition, which has been running for 20 years, may be a springboard to success.

He said: "I wanted to get into a more professional sort of exhibition and be on show with known artists.

"It is what I want to do to earn a living. Painting is my first love."

The exhibition is his biggest to date.

He has displayed his work at the Roundhouse, in Burley, but is happy to be on a larger stage.

He said: "This exhibition attracts in the region of 4,000 people. I am lucky to get 40 people to come in Burley."

The 42-year-old self-taught artist, who works in accounts and administration to support his passion, produces his impressionist works in his studio.

Mr Learmonth works from photographs to reproduce the scenes, which have struck his imagination.

He said: "I use photographs as a guide to get an idea of what I want to do.

"I don't like going out and getting rained on and getting blown across the moors."

The exhibition will be held at Kings Hall from March 10 to 18.

It will be opened by Malcolm Hebden, who plays Norris in Coronation Street.