These stunning paintings make up a colourful exhibition bringing Bridport to life.

They take the viewer on a tour of the town showing some of its iconic buildings and businesses including Leakers Bakery, Bridget's Market and the Electric Palace.

In one of the paintings a youngster poses outside legendary hat shop Snooks, which has become known all over the country as a result of the town's annual hat festival.

They've all been painted by talented Bridport artist Jules Cross and have been a 26 year labour of love.

This visual walk through Bridport can be seen at an exhibition at the Chapel in the Garden in East Street until Saturday.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Jules CrossJules Cross (Image: Jules Cross)

Jules said: "It began with a vague idea of depicting some of Bridport’s iconic businesses with pigeons or gulls flying by for added interest.

"I also added a surrealist element to some because of my interest in Magritte, the Belgian surrealist. Later on the idea evolved into a firm resolve to record Bridport as it is today.

"Times are changing fast and these pictures will become historical documents in time.

"I took about five years to produce the first 10 and the remaining six were all completed in 2022."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Jules CrossJules Cross (Image: Jules Cross)

Jules was born and grew up in Finchley, north London and studied at the Royal Academy Schools. He has enjoyed a career in archaeology working at Wessex Archaeology, Salisbury between 1986 to 1996 and taking part in a research dig at Gough’s Cave, Cheddar Gorge led by the Natural History Museum.

He is also passionate about nature conservation and volunteered for and led many countryside conservation projects for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, mostly in Dorset, but all over the West Country. In 1993 he obtained work at Carymoor Environmental Trust, a nature reserve located on part of an active landfill site in Somerset.

He said: "I eventually became reserve officer and remained for 10 years until my failing hips meant I could no longer manage the practical aspects of my work. After three hip replacements (possibly the consequence of running marathons) I settled to a more sedate period of existence in Bridport.

"I’ve had a fascinating working life and been fortunate in being able to pursue many philanthropic projects. These life experiences have all been tipped into the melting pot and made me the person I am now, and the artist I am now."

The Bridport artist wants the paintings to be sold as a collection of 16 and retained for future viewing by the public.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Jules CrossJules Cross (Image: Jules Cross)

He said: "I would like to keep them together because they represent a single body of work, which should remain in Bridport for future inhabitants and visitors to hopefully enjoy and learn from.

"They are six years out of my life and are a sort of legacy to my adopted home town of the past 16 years.

"Perhaps a worthy institution, or a syndicate of business owners who are sympathetic to my wishes might consider buying them at a fair price, to be negotiated."