IT was success ahoy for local artist Arthur King recently when he picked up the LS Lowry Prize for Art.

Arthur, who paints ships, was given the prestigious accolade after an exhibition of his watercolours at the Salford arts complex which bears Lowry's name.

Having had exhibitions all over the country Arthur enjoyed being in the spotlight.

But his triumph was tinged with sadness because his wife was too ill to come and see him pick up the award. She died four weeks ago.

Although he has had no formal training, this sprightly 87 year old believes the ability to draw was passed down to him from relatives.

The nautical theme of his works can be explained by the fact that he grew up in Southend on Sea and spent most of his childhood surrounded by vessels of all shapes and sizes.

"I was always down at the water, looking at boats and ships all the time. My family were seafaring people and my father was a chief petty officer in the Navy during the First World War. So it seemed to be natural to paint ships", he says.

He was just seven years old when he picked up a paint brush for the first time.

The retired civil engineer says he has a number of artistic gurus but his main influence is Turner.