A PUB in Thornbury is supporting artists from the area by dedicating a room for work to be showcased and art classes to be held for the public.

The Anchor Inn will hold an open day to officially launch the use of a room in the pub specifically for artists to exhibit their work and hold art classes for residents to enjoy.

Heather Ash, licensee of the pub on Gloucester Road, came up with the idea with the aim to help local artists showcase their work while giving residents activities to take part in.

An open day will be held on Monday, February 2 for visitors to ask questions about the exhibition room and suggest classes while sampling free tea, coffee and homemade cake.

Mrs Ash said: “We want to really show the room off and let people ask as many questions as they like about what we are going to do here.

“There will be a range of classes, I’m looking into different ones and spoken to people about lace making, recycling materials, sugar crafts, cross-stitch and more.

“I wanted to create a platform to help local artists, who can find it really hard to show off their work, to be able to do so. It would also be a place for mature people to come and do something to fill the day. We didn't really use the room at all and it's a chance for artists who live in and around Thornbury to to show off and sell their work."

Artist Susanna Gilmore Powell will be the first to exhibit her work in the room and every two months the artwork will change to allow others to showcase their talent.

The first art class will be held on Tuesday, February 10 between 10am and 4pm which has now sold out with a waiting list.

Mrs Ash added: “We are looking into arranging another art class with this one selling out and I will be looking for suggestions of other ones at the open day.

“People are responding really well so far and I am encouraging people to come along.”

The open day will run from 10am to 4pm at The Anchor Inn.