A WORCESTERSHIRE charity is holding a conference aimed at encouraging people to turn rubbish and junk into art.

The Worcestershire Resource Exchange (WRE) is a project managed by an environmental charity called the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust. It is holding a national conference called reCreate 08 which aims to get people to think outside the box on issues of creativity and reuse.

The WRE, in Shrub Hill Industrial Estate, Worcester, is an Alladdin's Cave of recycled items from mannequins to cigarette packet cards and from nets to sponges. Sarah Millin is the arts training officer at the WRE and his the inspiration behind the conference.

"I have long waited to bring the benefits of refuse to a wider audience," she said. "This conference is aimed at educators, environmentalists, artists and indeed anyone who is open to encompassing new ideas and has an environmental conscience.

"I am hoping we can inspire a new generation to look beyond traditional materials for creative use."

Key speakers will be addressing the audience, including Ruth Thomson, whose kNOwtrash collection was exhibited at the Eden Project last year. There will also be exciting workshops on environmental, narrative and illustrative art, led by five artists.

One of the artists, Jennifer Collier, incorporates experimental textile techniques using recycled and found materials to create clothing and shoes.

The conference is on Wednesday, March 5, at the Wildlife Trust in Lower Smite Farm, Hindlip, and costs £75 including lunch or £40 for voluntary organisations.

To book a place call Sarah Millin on 01905 613976.