Anyone who has ever been a student will know how financially difficult it can be - and, in recent years, it has become even harder.

So is it realistic to think students can afford to buy art?

John Byrne thinks so and has come up with an exciting initiative to encourage students who want to buy his work. At a new exhibition in Aberdeen, Mr Byrne has made six paintings available at a reduced price - and only those at school or university will be permitted to buy them.

Mr Byrne was inspired by a French law which states that all exhibitions must have one affordable item, but he has gone further in insisting only students are eligible to take part.

Not only that, if the scheme is a success, Mr Byrne says he will repeat the idea at future exhibitions. Clearly, even at a reduced price and with an option to pay in instalments, many students will still not be able to afford to take part.

But Mr Byrne's idea has great potential to replace peeling posters with original art. It's up to other galleries and artists to follow his lead.