A Dorchester artist’s painting of the town’s skate park has been accepted to appear at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

The oil painting by Paul Dilworth, of Queen’s Avenue, will feature in the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition in Piccadilly which started this week and runs until the end of August.

Mr Dilworth, who has been painting for more than 30 years, submitted two works to the academy and was delighted to discover that his painting of Dorchester’s skatepark was accepted.

He painted the picture in four days in March this year – two years after it was officially opened following 12 years of fundraising and campaigning by passionate skaters.

Mr Dilworth, 55, said: “I have had paintings accepted at the Royal Academy before but that was a while ago so this is quite exciting.

“It’s nice that it’s a painting of a feature in Dorchester too.

“I chose to paint the skatepark because it’s a really good thing for the town and the youngsters.

“It was good to see all the escapades they do on their bikes and skateboards and wonder how they do it.

Town crier Alistair Chisholm said having the painting accepted by the Royal Academy is a good thing for Dorchester.

He said: “You only have to see the talent at the art exhibitions that are held in Dorchester, but to make the London Academy exhibition is quite an achievement and it’s great for Dorchester.

“I think he picked the skatepark because it’s a valuable and vibrant part of the town and it’s fun and colourful.

Examples of Mr Dilworth’s work can be seen on his website: muralsofenchantment.com