A gifted young artist is setting his sights on becoming the next Damien Hirst after winning three international competitions.

Luke Routt - who celebrated his ninth birthday last month - first picked up a paint brush at the tender age of three and then took private art lessons.

The West Lodge Middle School pupil, whose favourite colours are blue and red, is hoping to take the international art scene by storm having picked up awards in three competitions on a popular children's art website. His pictures can be viewed at the click of a button by visiting www.lookandlearn.com.

Luke says: "I had loved learning how to paint and think the art classes have really helped. I have learnt how to paint, sketch and draw and I also like making models.

"My favourite paintings are ones of my pet lizard, Ozzy, who is a bearded dragon.

"I love drawing lizards and when Ozzy dies I am going to sell my paintings of lizards to make money so I can buy another one."

Proud mother, Beth, is delighted with her son's success and hopes Luke will carry on using his artistic talents in the future.

She says: "He has always been very creative and we could tell he wanted to paint and draw ever since he was about three.

"We decided to let him take up art classes and he has been going from strength to strength. Three times he has entered competitions and beat children from around the world. We are extremely proud."

But Luke had better watch out because his little sister, Cassidy, three, also has a keen eye for art.

Beth says: "We can already tell that Cassidy is looking to follow in the same footsteps as her brother. For a child of three, she is really interested in painting and drawing.

"We hope Luke will use his skill when he is older. I would like to see him working in construction, maybe as an architect, or being able to design and be creative."

Luke's teacher Jaquie Feldman says: "He is a very talented young boy. He likes doing projects based around his passions, like drawing lizards, but I also encourage him to look at other ideas."

Jaquie has a fine art degree and teaches art to children and adults at Harrow Museum in Pinner View, Harrow. She says: "It is great to see children with such enthusiasm for the subject at such a young age.

"I hope Luke keeps up his interest in painting and drawing because he is having lots of fun."