Hugh Beattie is the British Army's only oil painter and he is on a mission to show the history and "unsung glories" of Maldon and Essex from a deeper perspective - the ancient one - with a series of new paintings of the town and an exhibition in July.

Based at Colchester and serving as a Reservist, the artist moved to the county five years ago and has made himself familiar with the Maldon district and its ancient historical significance. He has produced seven paintings of iconic Maldon scenes for the exhibition at the Maeldune Centre, which will also feature other works by the artist and a potter, Peter Deans.

Hugh feels that the Maeldune Centre, at the corner of Market Hill and the High Street, is the perfect place for his exhibition with its celebration of culture and heritage.

Hugh told Maldon Nub News: "Essex has an incredible history and I want to capture a sense of that.

"Arriving in Maldon is like walking straight back to the great days of sail, the paint may not always be fresh, but the palpable history is unbelievable.

"King Harold is buried in Essex and the Knights Templar had farms here to fund their 'Pilgrimage work'. This is the county of famous battles and terrifying witches, so it is as grand and magical a county as Pembrokeshire or Orkney.

"Just a look at the map shows you the Roman roads and the castles... there's a huge amount of treasure here."

So Hugh has put his paint brush to the task of highlighting the unsung glories of this part of the country to shock everyone in to realising what is so often unappreciated.

Hugh added: "I have only just touched the surface in Essex and there is so much I have not painted yet, but this group of paintings is my bugle call to alert people to what there is here to find."

'Ancient Essex: An Oil Painting Exhibition of Essex Architecture in their Landscape' by J Hugh L Beattie will be shown at the Maeldune Centre from 7-27 July. There will be both paintings and prints available to buy at the show.

Hugh has set up a studio in Eight Ash Green, and his website can be found via the link here.