Ananova:

A painter and decorator has transformed his 1960s council house into a tribute to the masters of the Renaissance.

Robert Burns, 59, of Brighton, East Sussex, has faithfully reproduced works by 15th century Italian artists in almost every room.

Mr Burns last had an art lesson at primary school and used coffee table art books bought at jumble sales for inspiration.

The books helped him reproduce realistically the work of artists, such as Botticelli, on his walls - mostly with DIY-store emulsion.

Mr Burns, a 59-year-old father-of-four, said: "Whenever I am bored or don't have any work on, I add a bit more. It stops me going barking while I am waiting for the phone to ring.

"Decorating work can be a bit bland - one of my last jobs was painting the inside of a factory with 53 litres of magnolia.

"I think I will stop with the inside of the house - I don't think the council would appreciate it if I did the outside as well."