A FORMER university professor who branched out as an artist will display some of his latest work in County Durham.

Ewan Anderson's exhibition will be on show at the Low Barns Nature Reserve, near Witton-le-Wear, to mark Durham Wildlife Trust’s Tree Month in August.

The mainly self-taught artist's was inspired to capture some of the region's most important trees following the trust's Veteran Trees Project which raised awareness of its ancient specimens.

“I have always loved trees,” said Mr Anderson, who documents rare types and has kept himself busy with projects ranging from London’s Kew Gardens to Oman. “They are big and long lived, in some ways they are the finest things in creation.”

The 78-year-old, who grew up in Somerset but has lived in Durham for 40 years, moved from a school post as head of geography to Bede College in 1972 and Durham University in 1979.

He lectured in the geography department before transferring to the Centre for Middle East and Islamic Studies until 2001 when, rather than retire, he found work in another area of educational interest, residential care and education for children.

It was only when he was recovering from a small heart attack that he took up art and has since enrolled on courses at Glasgow School of Art.

"I started drawing again," added Mr Anderson, who was taught to draw by his mother as a boy. "I’d always loved it and would draw maps during my geography years.”

The exhibition runs from August 6 to September 3.