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Hard times: Pete Doherty trades his paintings to pay for his cab rides

Last updated at 15:12pm on 12.09.08

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Rocker Pete Doherty has struck up an unusual deal with his local taxi firm - exchanging his paintings for cab rides.

The Babyshambles frontman has been using a private firm to get to gigs and airports for the past year.

But there has been times when Doherty, who has battled against drug addiction, hasn't had ready-cash to pay the fare.

Pleading poverty: Broke Pete Doherty has struck a deal with a local firm to trade paintings for cab rides

The firm's boss Justin Cook instead suggested that the aspiring artist could pay with his 'increasingly collectable' art pieces.

Mr Cook said: 'I have come to realise that Pete is brilliantly talented. The composition of his paintings is brilliant and he himself is a very generous and warm-hearted person.

'I am quite happy for him to pay me in paintings because I know they will be increasingly collectable.'

Limited edition prints signed in Doherty's blood have sold for up to £2,500.

Mr Cook owns Arrow Cars in Wiltshire, where Doherty lives in a rented and run down country retreat.

He currently has five of the singer's works and hopes to collect more.

Doherty caused controversy in July when he submitted one of his paintings, done in his own blood, to a children's charity art show.

Pictures taken at an exhibition of Pete Doherty's, 'Art of Albion'. The paintings by Doherty were created using his own blood and of former girlfriend Kate Moss

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It's a shame when all people can do is attack. Peter is a person who has never hurt anyone with intent. If people opened their eyes/mind and saw his art i think they would be very surprised. There will not be another Pete Doherty along soon and so in time people will come to appreciate this english gem we have in our country.

- Justin Cook, Marlborough,Wiltshire

why doesnt he take the bus like the rest of us?
Shame he hadn't used a bit more blood in the painting

- Al Stuart, ealing London