A WORLD-RENOWNED artist paid a visit to a Cam school to teach the students a thing or two about expressing themselves.

Ed Swarez, Stroud-based van driver turned contemporary artist whose work now sells for thousands, visited The Peak Academy in Cam to inspire the students with the freedom of abstract art.

Though visiting a school was a first for Ed, the Peak Academy pupils threw themselves into producing artwork of their own which will soon be hung in the halls of the school.

"I'm just trying to get them used to letting go with art and let them know there aren't the constrains that they may think there are," said Ed.

"It's about them doing what nobody has told them to do, using their own heads to create their own pieces of work.

"It's all about freedom."

Within an hour of Ed's arrival students from the school were out on the school grounds, dressed in overalls and creating their own masterpieces by hurling paint of all colours across canvasses.

A large piece was also created as a collaborative effort between staff and youngsters from the school.

Principal of the academy Richard Lewis was delighted to have Ed imparting his artistic wisdom.

He said: "It's great to have him hear today - and the kids are getting to do something they wouldn't otherwise get the chance to do.

"If you listen to his backstory of how he went from being a van driver to being a world famous artist it's just so inspirational."

Art teacher at the school Viv Jones was equally impressed.

"It's absolutely incredible to have a really well known international artist come to a school like ours and get the children thinking about art in a completely different way.

"It's brilliant to see them having fun and getting creative without being told what to do. They're just completely letting go and being free."

Ed's life in art began on July, 2007, when the ladies self defence class he helped run decided to mix things up and dedicate a session to art.

Seven years later the entirely self taught artist sells work across the globe from his Stroud studio.

To read more about his life or check out his work visit www.swarez.co.uk.