A SALISBURY father has captured imaginations with his colourful baby bump art.

Alex Makwana has had a huge response on social networking sites with his designs which have been painted on his pregnant wife Jo's stomach.

The 29-year-old says the painting has been a bounding experience for the couple, who will be welcoming the newest arrival to their family in the coming weeks.

"For us it is something fun and it is nice to spend a bit of time together and bond."

The Salisbury Reds bus driver who now works at the company's travel shop in the city says he started creating his baby bump art with his daughter Ava.

However, he admits he only did three designs when Jo was pregnant with Ava, but this time he has made up for it - creating 11 designs.

These include Buzz Lightyear, Despicable Me minions, Cadbury's Creme Egg, a ultra sound picture of a baby, and a portrait of the couple themselves.

"We saw a picture online or on TV of someone painting on a bump and just decided to take it a bit further," he said. "They usually take about half-an-hour. The more intricate ones like the minions and Buzz Lightyear took about four hours. Jo doesn't mind she sits on the sofa watching the telly. She just relaxes when I'm doing it."

The designs are created using face paints and have been posted on social media - gathering thousands of views. Alex even took requests for baby bump designs to paint.

Describing the response on social media he said: "It's gone completely crazy around the world. It's been unbelievable. We never expected it to be this popular - it's been really surreal."

He added: "I've always done art and do portraits and pencil work. I still do pencil drawings."

However, he admits the couple will miss the baby bump art when they welcome the family's seventh child.