WEYMOUTH'S rural hinterland, which might be covered by the proposed relief road, has been recorded for posterity by Weymouth artist Steve Bithell.

The Weymouth painter has created a series of works focusing on the land between the Ridgeway and the town, especially the ancient, irreplaceable woodlands of Two Mile Coppice, Teddy Bear Wood and Lorton Meadows.

At the last Dorset Art Weeks (DAW) in 2006, Steve had only just started his relief road project but now has a studio full of stunning depictions of the countryside skirting the north of Weymouth.

He said: "I have no real issue with the road, but as an artist it will be interesting to record the landscape before it changes."

Steve's paintings are lush depictions of the landscape, rich with green trees and fields. A particularly striking example is a small picture of a corn-yellow meadow with a strand of barbed wire joltingly painted in the foreground.

"I have been called a nature Nazi'," said Steve, "which I think is a bit harsh. People will always quote the television and newspapers and say that the verges by the side of dual carriageways and motorways are our biggest nature reserve'.

"Yes, you might see flowers and you might see an occasional kestrel hunting, but you don't see the rare plants, or foxes or badgers - unless they are roadkill.

"I think we are in for an interesting time regarding the relief road."

You can see Steve and his paintings at 56, Newstead Road, Weymouth, DT4 0AU (DAW number 228).