The horrific bombing of Dresden in 1945 has been a lifelong influence for the work of a prolific artist.

Bingley-born Robert Lee, pictured, was called up to join the Royal Artillery Signals in World War II and, after taking part in the North African campaign, was taken prisoner and spent two years at a German working camp in Freital, a suburb of Dres-den.

And the 86-year-old's personal war experiences are visible in many of his creations.

As well as painting he makes 'assemblages' - montages made from wood and paintings - depicting his memories, one of which is called Ash Wednesday and shows the Allied bombing of Dresden.

In the foreground two carved soldiers share a tin cap against a dramatic red image of the burning city.

"It was an experience that has never left me and my visual memory is something which daily inspires me in my work," said the former Bingley College of Educ-ation art lecturer.

Mr Lee, who works daily in his converted-garage studio, also created a huge wooden crying angel for Dresden which now hangs in the crypt of Frauenkirche, one of the city's churches.

"The experience of standing quite helpless on the steps of the camp and watching the destruction, of the terrible business of having to live through that time, is what lies behind the angel," he said.

Another vivid memory was when the POWs were instructed to bury 300 people, mostly women and children, who were killed in a raid on Frietal in 1944.

Mr Lee and two friends returned to the graveyard in 1991 and found it was overgrown with trees and flowers which inspired him to paint The Resurrection, which shows people living among the trees.

And some of his paintings, including one called The Last Supper which depicts a group of soldiers sat around a table, are displayed at the Second World War Experience Centre in Feast Field, off Town Street, Horsforth.

Other paintings will be on show at the prestigious Leeds Art Fair at the Corn Exchange from April 26 to 28.

His travels to numerous countries, including Italy, Egypt and France, have also sparked his imagination, along with his love of the sea.

"The sea is always changing and it never makes the same movement twice. It's fascinating and I can watch it for hours," he said.

He has also painted several scenes of woodland near his Harden home and views of beaches in Cornwall and the east coast of England where he spent holidays with his wife Thelma and their three daughters.

A former Bingley Grammar School pupil, Mr Lee went on to study at Bradford College of Art before gaining a place at London's Royal College of Art.

He has exhibited throughout the country and in Dallas, Texas.