A collection of original paintings by a popular artist will be exhibited at greatly reduced prices for charity.

An exhibition of paintings by experienced watercolour artist, David Balder, will be showcased at Lowestoft Library between May 31 and June 3.

And with all proceeds raised going to the Prostate Cancer Fund, there will be a large number of works on display as it forms part of a studio clearance of paintings by Mr Balder.

With an instantly recognisable style, Mr Balder's interest in art stemmed from a search for a new hobby more than 40 years ago.

He recalled: 'I only came upon painting when searching for a hobby and saw that an art club was being formed at Oulton Broad. I joined Oulton Broad Art Circle in 1976 and have been a member ever since, joining Lowestoft Art Group in about 1980.'

A former chairman of Oulton Broad Art Circle and also former chairman and president of Lowestoft Art Group, Mr Balder said: 'I did not know anything at all when I joined. I started painting as a hobby and was taken in by Harold Cushing, a lovely old boy, and I spent many a happy hour painting 'en plein air' with him. The first 20 years I painted outside all the while and its where I gained lots of experience.

'I used to do lots of sketching, which seems to have gone out of the window now.'

Having exhibited frequently in the past, and raised thousands of pounds for various charities, Mr Balder, 82, said: 'Painting has given me a lot of pleasure over the years, and there are scenes all around East Anglia that will be on display.'

There will also be a raffle and information about Prostate Cancer, with leaflets and other documentation distributed by Mike Willgoss, who will be happy to share his experiences having suffered from the disease.

Mr Willgoss, who is a Prostate Cancer UK ambassador from Lowestoft, has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the charity over the years.

He said: 'I am honoured that David has agreed to do this – it's really good of him. When I first saw the collection of paintings, I said 'wow' they are amazing. David is very prolific.'