A SCHOOLBOY'S sketches of Poundbury have turned into picture-perfect postcards of Prince Charles' dream village.

Young artist John Wilson, 13, was inspired to turn his hand to drawing views of the development when he moved there with his family last year.

The talented teenager, who specialises in drawings and watercolours and has a clutch of art competition wins under his belt, had the idea to sell his pictures as postcards.

Now tourists are snapping up the souvenirs, which went on sale in Poundbury three weeks ago.

John's father Gary, 42, who lives with his wife Carole and older son James in Downside Lane, said: "We took templates of his drawings to Kolour Krazy in Weymouth and had a few print runs done for local shops to sell.

"They are very impressive and pretty popular - there are only two left out of the 60 that went on sale at Poundbury Village Stores.

"My wife and I are so proud of John, we think these are the first hand-drawn postcards of Poundbury.

"He gets no financial gain out of this, just recognition for his art, which has given him a lot of confidence."

John, who will attend the Thomas Hardye School this autumn, has also been commissioned to draw The Old Manor, an Elizabethan dwelling now used as a luxury bed and breakfast in the Kingston Maurward estate.

Co-owner and art collector, Andrew Thomson, said: "We hope to use one of John's designs on our compliment slips.

"I was impressed with his Poundbury pictures because they are a refreshing interpretation of the subject and he has a keen eye for architectural detail.

"He also has the knack of making it look easy, which is always the hallmark of a talented artist."

John told the Dorset Echo he harbours hopes to dash off more pictures as the Poundbury development continues to spring up.

He added: "I have been an artist for quite a long time and I just liked the street scenes, I am quite pleased that they are selling.

"I especially like drawing buildings and would like to take it up as a career in the future."

The postcards feature six of his hand-coloured drawings, including the Brownsword Hall, Ashington Street and The Castle house in Penhale Walk, with the most popular illustration proving to be Longmoor Street. The postcards cost 35 pence each and are available at the house of Dorchester chocolate factory, the Octagon Caf and Poundbury Village Stores.

Shop proprietor Keith Heffernan said: "I think the cards are fantastic. Talent like this should be encouraged more. People are especially interested when we tell them the artist is 13."