A PROFESSIONAL West Devon jazz musician, once described by jazz guru Humphrey Lyttleton as 'world class', is swapping his trombone for a paintbrush and hoping to hit the right note in the art world.

Veteran trombonist from Yelverton, Roger Marks, was the driving force behind the Devon-based Armada Jazz Band but has distanced himself from music to become the latest resident artist at the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity in Princetown.

Roger, 63, will be picking up his paintbrush to indulge in his passion for watercolour painting, which began when he was a child but was put on hold due to the advice of a careers officer.

Roger said: 'I really wanted to work as a commercial artist, but the careers officer was a bit conservatively minded and suggested it was too risky.

'So I qualified as a corporate surveyor and combined my musical career with working for South Hams District Council as a building inspector, but now I am looking forward to returning to art again.'

It has been 50 years since Roger last painted, but in 12 months, with help from the Buckland Monachorum Watercolour Group, he feels confident enough to launch his artistic career, specialising in local landscapes and seascapes.

'Duchy Square is the perfect location for this kind of subject, so there should be plenty of inspiration for me,' said Roger.

'I will still have plenty of time to indulge my passion for jazz too and feel very privileged to have two creative outlets.'

For more information about Duchy Square, workshops or the resident artists, call the centre on 01822 890828 or visit the website at http://www.duchysquare.org">www.duchysquare.org