A TEESDALE art student, not content with being top of his class, has come top of the country in his A-level course.

Ray Landon, from Cotherstone, near Barnard Castle, did not drop a single mark over his two-year Fine Art course at Bishop Auckland College, meaning he was the best performer in the country.

Mr Landon is a part-time probation officer, who spends most of his spare time with a paintbrush in his hand.

The 40-year-old father-of-two is a member of Quartz, a group of four artists from Cotherstone.

He was interested in art from a young age, but only recently started painting again after a break of 20 years.

"I was very interested in art when I was younger, but then I got a job, a family, a house and I stopped doing it," said Mr Landon.

"Then a few years ago, I started again, mucking about with sculpture and paint."

Mr Landon had to produce more than 50 pieces of work for his course, and used a variety of media and painted a variety of subjects, from rubbish to beaches.

At Quartz's most recent exhibition, in May, he sold 13 pieces of his work in two hours.

"It's strange really, to think people like what I'm painting, especially because a lot of paintings around Teesdale are watercolours, where my stuff is more abstract."

"The response I got at the exhibition was overwhelming, but the feeling I got when I opened that envelope and I realised I had come top was even better."

Sue Holden, the college's programme leader for art and design, said: "Ray is an excellent student, who worked very hard. He deserved the marks he has achieved."

Quartz will hold an exhibition in Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, from October 18 to 24. For more details, call 01833-631107.