IMAGINATIVE and striking artwork will be on display at Bewdley Institute from Saturday until Thursday, March 30.

The Bewdley Gateway Exhibition, the first of what is expected to be an annual exhibition, was devised as part of the Rediscover Bewdley weekend.

Visitors will be able to view paintings, sculptures, fine art prints, contemporary crafts and photography at the Wheatsheaf Room and its gardens, which are part of the institute in Load Street.

The work was submitted by artists and craftspeople from Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Wales and a range of exhibits were selected. The exhibition has been organised by Opportunity Bewdley, Wyre Forest District Council and local artists.

Amanda Sheehy, spokeswoman for Opportunity Bewdley, said: "It aims to offer a platform for the wealth of professional art being created in the rural regions and to find an audience in the Midlands and beyond.

"Bewdley has historic associations with the arts, which are to be celebrated through this event. The organisers have been delighted by the huge positive response to the event."

The exhibition will be open every day from 10am until 4pm.