ARTIST Cyril Corio celebrates his 90th birthday by sharing his passion for painting.

Landscapes by the Rodborough based nonagenarian will be on display at the Lansdown Gallery in an exhibition which opens on his birthday, Tuesday, July 2.

"The idea for an exhibition came from my children, David and Susie. There are paintings all around the house and they thought it was about time I had a show," said Cyril.

Cyril first took up a paintbrush 60 years ago, at the suggestion of his wife Pat.

"When Pat and I were first married, we were very lucky to live about 100 yards from Buckingham Palace. Pat worked for a solicitor and we lived in the flat above his office.

"We were close to a lot of galleries and after working shifts I used to go to and see exhibitions and art lectures. After a while Pat said 'why don't you try painting?' She bought me some oil paints and I started and I’ve never stopped.”

A former engineer, Cyril moved to Rodborough 46 years ago with Pat and the children, to be nearer his sister.

"For a couple of years after the move, I had some painting lessons from a Royal Academician in Painswick. As well as technique, he taught me things like colour theory and how to look at paintings.

“Then 30 years ago, I started to teach an art class at Rodborough Endowed School, to pass on what I had learnt."

Cyril’s art class, and his passion for painting, are still going strong.

Exhibition continues until Sunday, July 7.