A NEW creative studio has been launched in Thornbury, encouraging friends and family to get painting.

Paintpotts, which is based in St Mary Centre, offers visitors the chance to unleash their artistic talents by painting a range of ceramic pieces, from plates and plaques to baby hand and foot prints.

As well as the chance to turn up and paint, Paintpotts also offers a dedicated party zone, where groups can vary their experience.

Paintpotts creator and artist Mandy Cawood decided to start the business after seeing how popular the paint-a-pot industry has become, believing that a small scale version would fit well into the makeup of the town.

She said: “I had ideas on how it could be done differently, and it suddenly dawned on me that this could be it. This could be me!”

The studio, which was opened on Saturday, June 25 by Thornbury mayor, Cllr Helen Harrison, coincided with celebrations for the Thornbury Carnival Fringe taking place just outside the front door, in St Mary Centre.

Ms Cawood said: “It was fantastic to open with the fringe going on outside, the band even joined in with drumrolls.

“It really added to the atmosphere and helped bring in quite a crowd, who were all eager to crack on with some painting.

“We have had a lot of people come in to see what we are about and everyone seems interested coming to visit, and I look forward to seeing more people from Thornbury coming through our doors.”

Cllr Harrison added: “I am delighted to be the one to open Paintpotts.

“This is going to be such a wonderful asset to the community - a place for creativity and conversation to come together in a relaxed and fun way, and suitable for young and old alike.

“I wish Mandy and all the team every success in this new venture.”