WORK has finally been completed on a new art gallery in the grounds of Thornbury's Castle School - the result of the school's designation as a specialist visual arts college

The new eight-sided building - called the Octagon Centre - includes an art studio for use by the school and a gallery which will host a range of exhibitions throughout the year.

This June will see the first exhibition in the new gallery - a selection of relief prints by Bristol based printmaker Trevor Haddrell.

Bristol and Beyond will show many of the prints for which Trevor has become well known as well as several new works.

Arts college director Paul Needles said: "Trevor has been working on views of Thornbury and it is hoped that at least one of these will be ready for this very special show.

"I'm sure that the Thornbury public will warm to his high quality work. It shows a craftsman-like approach to this tremendous art form and the scale of some of the work is impressive in itself. "

The show will run from June 7-25 and will be open Monday-Friday from 10am to 5.30pm.

The school has also put together an exciting programme of exhibitions for the future.

In July there is to be an exhibition of work from local primary schools entitled "Partners" and September will see a mixed media exhibition with the human form as the main focus. Details of all future shows will be announced at a later date.

Said Mr Needles: "We hope that the community will support this venture by coming to see the work on show.