MARKER pen masterpieces are brightening up the walls of homes across the Waterside after a six-year-old boy held his very own art exhibition.

Lewis Brown wanted to do something to help raise money for the tsunami appeal and so invited all his friends and teachers to an exhibition at his house.

The event was such a success that he raised more than £75 and has now started to receive his first commissions.

Lewis, of Curlew Close, Hythe, was so upset after seeing TV coverage of the disaster that he wanted to do something to help and hit upon the money-spinning idea after visiting exhibitions put on by his grandfather who is a watercolour artist in Wales.

"His first idea was to sell each of the 30 pictures for £150 a time but we eventually decided on a minimum of 50p each," said proud father Jonathan, a marketing consultant.

Lewis's favourite topic transport was a big hit at the event.

"Lewis gave out invites, put red spots on the paintings to indicate when they had been sold and there were drinks and food available," said Jonathan.

"He may be interested in trucks and trains instead of water lilies but that's a minor detail!"

Waterside Primary School head deputy head teacher Caroline Walker attended the exhibition.

She said: "We were very pleased to be able to support this worthy cause in this unusual and imaginative way. We were surprised that so many young children were touched by this event."