A talented young artist has teamed up with a professional cartoonist at the Wolverhampton Express and Star.

Young Joshua Whitehouse has an exceptional artistic talent, he also has autism.

It was a dream come true when he spent the afternoon learning from the cartoonist Dave Williams.

The paper carried a story that told how the nine-year-old, who suffers from Asperger Syndrome, compared work with Dave and shared tips on how to get the best out of his talent.

Dave Williams has worked at the paper for 16 years and his work includes political cartoons, illustrations and drawings. Some of his paintings of pop stars have been on sale at the NEC.

Young Joshua is following in his footsteps and has had work displayed at the Midlands Art Centre in Cannon Hill Park.

But his ambition was to meet an artist who specialised in cartoons.

Dave, now at the paper’s Internet department, told Express and Star readers: “Joshua is a gifted young man and I am sure he will have a huge impact in the world of art. He is enthusiastic and should be encouraged. I am impressed with his work.”

Joshua’s mum Fiona told readers of his excitement when he knew he was going into the newspaper offices – and of the moment they were told he was autistic. She said: “It was devastating news but we were relieved that we had discovered what he was suffering from.”

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