A COLOURFUL display of vivid artwork from across the country is turning heads at an exhibition in Malvern.

Eighteen mainly professional artists have produced a total of 60 paintings for the show, at Malvern Theatres in Grange Road, which runs until June.

The artwork is largely representational with an abstract theme, but also includes various landscapes, and all of the items are for sale.

They include pieces from Colin Ruffell, from Brighton, whose large London studies are much admired, watercolourist Donald Cordery, who has won the prestigious Sunday Times/Singer and Friedlander Competition. Cotswold-based artist Michael Edwards also shows his dramatic landscapes in oils and Malvern artist Tia Lambert is exhibiting her stunning floral studies.

The display has been organised by Bill Nicholls of the town's Cowleigh Gallery over the past nine months.

"The show has a positive feel of spring and is causing quite a stir with the patrons and visitors," he said.

"It's one of the best that I've done and shows the way the venue has grown in popularity because people are coming from all over the country to display their work."