A GROUP of artists running a gallery in Bradford on Avon have celebrated their first anniversary.

The Art House Gallery Co-operative was formed to allow local artists to show their work and to sell direct to local people, without a middleman charging commission.

Artist Liz Watts said: "The gallery itself is non-profit, the money made goes straight back into running it.

"There is an awful lot of art in Bradford on Avon and we as a group are all committed to making a living from our art.

"We try to make the gallery as welcoming as possible and want to encourage people in who might not normally go to a gallery.

"People are welcome to come in again and again and just browse and see what we have. You can come in with a pushchair or a toddler and we won't mind."

The co-operative is made up of 13 artists, all from Bradford on Avon or Bath who run the business themselves and run the shop, in Silver Street, on a rota basis.

The artists all work in their own styles and through their own mediums, including pottery, textiles, stained glass, mosaics, photography, painting and sculpting.

Three artists have recently joined the group, landscape painter Maureen Alderslade, ceramicist David Griffiths and abstract painter Rhiannon Ransome.

Ms Ransome said: "It is an amazing feat really. We are all local artists and running everything ourselves. There is no middle man and, of course, this is reflected in the prices."

As well as the shop the group have displayed work in marquees at town events and held a display at Monkton Farleigh Church over the Christmas period.

They also hold exhibitions when members of the community can come along and see new work and take the first opportunity to buy work they like.

They held their fourth exhibition to show the work being produced, particularly by the artists new to the group.

The co-operative has also just launched a gift voucher scheme.

The shop is open from 10am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 11.30am to 3.30pm on Sundays.