SWINDON ART FEATURE: ANOTHER artist who firmly believes Swindon is bursting with talent is Gordon Dickinson.

A founder of Contemporary Artists of Swindon, an eclectic band of artists that has a permanent exhibition and sale at Old Town's Victoria pub, his work ranges from portraiture to abstract sculpture.

The Victoria has a vending machine containing miniature pieces of art by Gordon, 44, and others that are for anybody with a pound to spare.

With business partner Toni Robinson, he also runs the No Added Sugar art group, whose best known work includes the large sea serpent sculpture that welcomes visitors to Lawn Junior School.

Gordon, a former railway worker based in Old Town, turned professional in 2000, although he has been an artist since his teens.

He said: "CAOS has between 50 and 60 members, with a hard core of 20 or so who are really active.

"If they want to do something, they do it.

"Swindon is full of talent."

The membership of CAOS includes Tim Carroll, 44, who last year had the idea of funding a trip to India by selling blank pages of a sketchbook, which he pledged to fill while on his travels and return to the purchasers.