A homeless man who took up painting to help pay for food has become an unlikely star of the local art scene.

James Sneddon, 48, who sleeps in a tent in the woods on the outskirts of Canterbury, sells his work in a city underpass.

His supporters include many art students who pass through the St George’s subway, where he often sits with his pictures.

One student who bought a painting is Canterbury College student Lillie Constantine, who took to Facebook to post about James and his artwork.

She wrote: “He’s a lovely gentleman and we both talked passionately about art.

“Although delighted by his work, I couldn’t help feel miserable because of the stereotypes and presumptions the world has of the homeless.

“I asked to buy a picture and he only asked for a fiver – this is a man without a penny to his name or a roof over his head.”

James is a former food scientist who worked for a microbiology company, but he fell on hard times after a spell in prison.

“I was convicted of possessing a firearm and threatening officers,” he admits.

“But it was an air pistol and it was just a situation that got out of hand at my flat.

“It looks a lot worse on paper than it was, but because it involved armed police they just had to send me to prison.”

James was released in 2011 and found himself living on the streets.

“I had nothing – nowhere to live and no prospects of a job because of my record,” he said.

“That’s why I just started travelling around the country, sleeping rough and sofa- surfing. I’ve been everywhere from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

“I came down this way a few years ago and as I have always enjoyed art I just started painting the scenery where I was living in the woods. It gave me something to do.

“I have a portfolio of about 50 pictures and over the years have sold about 30, which has given me a bit of money.

“Many of my art materials are donated by art students and it’s really been encouraging to get such good feedback. It’s nice to be appreciated.”

James’s work has even won praise from gallery bosses and earned him a spot in an ongoing exhibition.

Gillian Wilson, of the Beach Creative art gallery in Beach Street, Herne Bay, was so impressed with his paintings she arranged for them to be displayed.

She said: “I thought his work was very good and it would be very appropriate for our latest community exhibition, called A Fresh Look, because it showcases new artists.”

The exhibition opened on Tuesday and runs until Sunday, May 22.