A FLORIST in Brightlingsea got a delivery with a difference when a driver pulled up with a perfect portrait of Ed Sheeran on the back of his van. 

Delivery driver-turned-artist Ricky Minns, known as Ruddy Muddy, stopped off at Anoda Flowers in Brightlingsea High Street on Tuesday with the impressive artwork etched in dirt on the back of his Mercedes Sprinter.

His unique portraits have gathered a following on social media and Anoda's owner, Becky Wilkinson, joined in by sharing the image on Instagram.

She said: "The picture has gone crazy.

"We've known the driver for years - he's a really nice man and so good at what he does.

"The drawing was amazing and even better in person. It was just a really nice surprise."

Mr Minns, who is based in south Norfolk and often travels to Ed's home town of Framlingham in Suffolk for work, took around an hour-and-a-half to complete his likeness.

He sketched the image out with a cocktail stick before using his fingertips to complete the masterpiece.

Away from muddy vans, the 42-year-old, who works for Flowervision wholesaler, also paints on canvas and has broadened his skills out to painting designs on shop windows.

He said: "My eldest loves Ed and has listened to his music right from the word go. 

"I've always had his music on my art playlist. So I found an image that worked.

"Someone tweeted me this morning and said it made their day to see it. I couldn't ask for anything more.

"It gets quite time-consuming visiting the petrol station sometimes when people come up and talk about it.

"As long as it gives people a smile on their way to work, that's the most important thing."

  • Have you spotted one of Ruddy Muddy's (@Ruddy_Muddy) artworks on your travels?