TWO art students from Southampton University are about to launch an exhibition of their work at Dibden Purlieu.

The oil paintings of Graham Muchmore and the sculptures of Kelly Donohue will be going on show at the Piece @ Cake tea rooms in the Merrie Meade Parade from Saturday to February 27.

Former Noadswood School and Totton College student Grahame gained a distinction in his GNVQ fine arts course at Totton and the exhibition will be his first.

It will include self-portraits, portraits of the famous and landscape scenes including some in the area he has grown up in. Hythe Pier, the marshes off Hythe's Shore Road and the towering power station at Calshot are all set to be on show.

"Painting is something I really enjoy and something I hope to be doing for the rest of my life - it's every artist's dream," said Graham, who is also a member of Totton rugby team.

Kelly from Cornwall is concentrating on making gleaming white organic sculptures from plaster and is also aiming to be a full-time artist.