Heather hung up on Ben: Macca's work dumped!

Ben Gregory Pritchard, 15, has been interested in art since he was nine and has already managed to sell three pieces of his work to Heather Mills.

His proud mum Rachel Pritchard, of Greenacres, Westfield, said: "Ben is very talented and Heather Mills said he could be the next Rene Magritte (the 20th century Belgian surrealist painter).

"After she split up with Paul McCartney she took down his work at her Hove home and replaced it with several of Ben's pieces, which he sold to her when he was 13. I used to work for Heather as her housekeeper and she is very supportive of Ben."

Ben said he was 'very proud' that Heather Mills had his work on display.

"She asked me to teach her how to do certain types of art like painting sunsets," the teenager said.

His mum said: "Street art is Ben's main passion. He is inspired by successful artists such as Banksy, but aims to create his own unique style.

"It was recognised from an early age that Ben had severe dyslexia and dyscalculia (difficulty with maths) but through encouragement from teachers at Westfield Primary School he managed to channel his creative side into art."

He has produced pieces in various genres, from street art and graffiti to surrealism.

The teenager, who attends Claverham Community College, is in his final year and his dream job is to work in car design.

His mother said: "Ben draws designs for cars at the moment and sends the pieces off to BMW.

"One of his projects has been to create an interior wall of art at a house in Hastings with an army graffiti theme. Ben is always looking for new ideas.

"With Hastings becoming one of the South East's up and coming towns for the art scene Ben is hoping that one of the local galleries may be interested in one of his unique pieces."

Ben's art work can be viewed on his Facebook page 'Ben Gregory Graffiti Artist'.