A SELF-taught artist has published a collection of his paintings which span 70 years - and they look very familiar.

Keith Cast, who is Bridport born and bred, has just celebrated his 90th birthday by releasing a book of his artwork entitled The Land and Seascape Paintings of Dorset and Beyond.

The collection heavily features the beautiful scenery found right on our doorsteps in west Dorset.

Keith, born in 1927, has always had an interest in drawing and says he has always been thankful for what he considers a gift.

"My first attempt at painting that I can remember was when I must have been about eight-years-old," he said. "Our teacher at the local school told us about a competition. This was to paint an advert for the New Zealand Cox apple. I came top. This gave me the enthusiasm needed to spur me on to becoming a budding artist, and kept me plugging away during the many disappointments that lie in wait for most young artists.

Things changed for Keith when, in 1939, Britain went to war.

"I was about 13," said Keith. "I still had my cherished watercolour paint box and my interest would never leave, as I was to discover in later life."

On turning 18, Keith was called up and he trained with the RAF - but he continued to see the beauty in the natural landscape around him. "I will always remember from an artistic view was RAF Kinloss," he said. "Situated on the Moray Firth, near Inverness, it had such magnificent scenery."

Keith says a near-death experience was the basis for his 'obsession' with the sea, which is apparent in his work.

"Like many local schoolchildren, I loved fishing from the piers at West Bay," said Keith. "On one occasion, the inevitable happened. I slipped and fell into a very muddy and choppy sea. Being all dressed up to keep dry and compete with wellington boots, I soon found out what a disadvantage they proved to be. I could not swim and sank like a stone. It was lucky for me a schoolmate was there."

Being a self-taught artist has had its challenges for Keith, but he says enthusiasm and determination have played an important part in his success. "Together with inspiration and imagination and a little luck," he said. "There is no quick fix to art."

Keith will launch his book at Bridport Arts and Crafts on East Street, Bridport, on Saturday, April 7. He will be signing copies between 10am and 1pm.