FORTY years ago Clifford Reeves’ art teacher told him he had no real talent and should find another line of work.

But this month, at the age of 54, Mr Reeves unveiled a host of watercolours at St James’ Church, in Somerton, near Bicester, that he hopes will be the start of his painting career.

The former soldier and prison officer has been a carer for his wife Lucy for the past five years, but he has always maintained his love of art and picked up his paintbrush as a hobby on and off for the past 15 years.

His paintings include local views in and around Upper Heyford, and the former mill at Upper Heyford, which he copied from an old photograph.

Father-of-seven Mr Reeves, who exhibited his work for the first time after he was persuaded by his mother-in-law Rosemary Arnold, said: “I have been painting and drawing since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.

“I didn’t take it up professionally because, in 1977, my teacher said I had no real talent and should find another line of work.

“He was wrong. I should have just continued.”