A CALLIGRAPHER who lost the ability to write following a stroke has taught himself to draw once again using his left hand.

Tom Barnard, a former student of the Royal College of Art in Kensington, has written six books on decorative handwriting, including Starting Calligraphy and Making Calligraphy Work For You.

After marrying wife Helen in 1946, Mr Barnard became the resident artist of an American air base before taking on roles as an art teacher and calligraphic advisor to pen company Osmiroid.

He worked until he was 72 and then moved to Dorset.

However, in 2013, Mr Barnard suffered a stroke which severely affected movement on his right side.

Thanks to the support of staff at the Magna Care Centre in Wimborne, he has now recovered enough to begin drawing again.

Mr Barnard uses his left hand to create pen and ink artworks and can often be found sketching in the centre's lounge.

Magna Care Centre's activities coordinator Cheryl Teuber said colleagues had encouraged Mr Barnard to attend an art group in the community room of a Tesco store after seeing the pleasure drawing gave him.

The group is attended by stroke victims of mixed abilities.

Cheryl said: “Tom is improving all the time.

"He arrived with us in July 2013 after a three-month stay in hospital.

"When he first came he couldn’t swallow and could do very little for himself, but now he is able to eat soft food and, with our support, has taught himself to use his left hand.

"Every week he takes a taxi to Art Group and Stroke Club.

"Art has helped Tom to express himself as he is unable to speak."

Last year, Mr Barnard drew images of Guy Fawkes’ trial for a competition run at Magna.

The the 92-year-old was formerly a judge for the National Schools' Handwriting Competition.

He also judged entries for the Koestler Trust awards, which aims to help former offenders, secure patients and detainees engage with creative arts.

Fellow judges included the late writer and poet John Betjeman and jazz musician Humphrey Littleton.