PROLIFIC amateur artist Dennis Wright enjoys painting so much that he always has pictures waiting to be framed at his Bishop Auckland home.

He is currently showing 22 of his favourites in the library at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, where they can be seen until May 23.

Mr Wright, 54, started painting in the spare room of his home in Woodhouse Close when he lost his job a few years ago.

He now combines his hobby with working at Triton Controls, in Evenwood.

His likes capturing animals and flowers in acrylics and his wife Stephanie always chooses the ones she likes best to decorate the family home.

He sells to friends and is hoping to find buyers for some of the pictures in his exhibition.

He said: "I really enjoy painting. It is very relaxing. I have shown paintings before at Woodhouse Close library and have been waiting for space in the Town Hall."