While most artists turn to a paintbrush or easel to hone their craft, one gifted painter has shot to success using a more unusual canvas – and is now hoping to inspire youngsters to follow in his footsteps. Lauren Cope looks at the man behind Ruddy Muddy.

White van man Rik Minns, nicknamed Ruddy Muddy, has captured Norfolk's imagination with his detailed artwork on the side of dirty vans.

Now, his pictures, dubbed 'graffilthi', have become so successful that he has been able to work part-time, freeing up time for his passion.

And with the extra time on his hands, Mr Minns is looking to motivate young people to tap into their creative side.

On Monday, the 39-year-old, of Wicklewood, was joined by 26 teenagers from Wymondham and Attleborough to improve facilities in their towns as part of the government-led National Citizen Service scheme, delivered locally by Norwich City's Community Supports Foundation.

The group of 16 and 17-year-olds painted murals of an apple tree, a turkey and the Attleborough crest on bus shelters in Queen's Square and Cypress Road, with the help of Downham Market graffiti artist Elliot Warren.

'We tried to encourage the children to get creative and it gave them something to do - they loved it. Everybody joined in and get involved and they were such a good group of children,' Mr Minns said.

The father-of-three's inventive art started six years ago as a novel way to shield his daughters from foul language.

'It stopped people writing rude things on vans. I have got young children and I'd driven along with them and they'd asked about things they'd seen - a nice picture covers that. Even if they notice it, or don't, at least it stops then asking questions,' he said.

Using his fingers, cotton wool buds and tissue, Ruddy, who works for floral wholesaler Flowervision in Bowthorpe, painstakingly dabbed, wiped and blotted for five years before the word spread.

After a string of festival appearances, publicity and commissioned work, Mr Minns was able to go part-time at work five months ago.

Now, he commissions oil paintings to help bring in some extra money - and says winter will give a boost to his van artwork.

'At this time of year people's vans don't really get dirty so it's quieter, but I do have a few bits in the works when winter starts again,' he said.

As well as an appearance at the Lifestyles Festival in Hunstanton next month, Mr Minns, who still attends art classes in Dereham, wants to become more involved in the community.

'Me and Elliot have been talking a lot about getting young people involved like we did in Attleborough. I would really like to help children get creative, instead of sitting inside on the computer. They need to just get out and realise that creative side we all have.

'I've had a really fortunate year - people have really started to pay attention to it. I have been so lucky, which is why I want to give something back now,' he said.

For the meantime, Mr Minns will be balancing his art, job and biggest fans - daughters Bethany, 15, Charlotte, 12 and Imogen, 10.

'My youngest is especially involved - she likes to have a go and is actually getting quite good, but Charlotte is only interested if it's to do with her music.'

Do you know of someone from south Norfolk we should be writing about? Contact reporter Lauren Cope on Lauren.cope@archant.co.uk