A LITTLE-SEEN portrait of a scantily-clad young Sean Connery is set to go on show in Edinburgh.

The life study painting features the James Bond star in the condition that won him third place in the Mr Universe competition.

The picture was painted in 1952 by jazz musician Al Fairweather, who was a student at Edinburgh College of Art at the time.

The oil on canvas painting shows a side-on view of Sir Sean, now 77, dressed in body-building trunks.

It was painted just before he auditioned for a stage production of South Pacific, a role which led to stage, TV and film work and the role as James Bond that propelled him to stardom.

The portrait has been held in the collection of the college since Fairweather graduated.

It will be on display at the City Art Centre among other life model work for the duration of the exhibition, which features more than 80 works from Saturday until January 19th.