Artists brush up on their shopping skills in town.

ARTISTS have been exhibiting their work in shops in Barnard Castle as part of the Teesdale Open Studios Week.

More than 19 local artists have broadened the reach of their work by showing it in the market town''s shops (some of which have inspired the work itself) as well as throwing open the doors to their studios.

New work, which has been specially undertaken for the shops collaboration, includes a witch fashioned from offcuts from Brookes Outfitters by artist Ingried Swan; and a collage landscape from Ray Landon which uses images of confectionery and cooking utensils from cookery books, which is currently residing in Mrs P''s Cake Shop in the town.

The project is the result of a collaboration between the artists and the town's retailers'' organisation Barney Guild, and will continue until Friday. "Fabulous art displayed in wonderful shops, what more could customers in Barnard Castle wish for," said Teesdale Artists Network''s Ray Landon.

"This display only goes to highlight the wide range of talent in Teesdale and the unique shopping opportunities to be had on our own doorstep. It supports both the Shop Local, Buy Local campaign and Teesdale Artists'' own mission statement to Browse Local Art, Be Inspired By Local Art, Buy Local Art."

Annalisa Ward, who heads up the Barney Guild, said: "Barney Guild is constantly looking at ways to attract people to the centre of Barnard Castle and we are delighted to be collaborating with the Teesdale Artists Network to enable a wider audience to see the fantastic quality of work available locally." The scheme has been highlighted as an example of the kinds of collaborations we could expect to see, should Durham become the UK's first City of Culture.

"There''s definitely an art to spotting a good bargain but this project will gives shoppers in Barnard Castle the chance to spot some artwork while grabbing a bargain," said councillor Eunice Huntington, Durham County Council''s cabinet member for healthier communities.

"It''s an imaginative scheme that will not only highlight Teesdale''s artistic talent but will also give a taster of what County Durham would have to offer as the UK''s first City of Culture."

Other artist retailer pairings include Ann Walker in Buttons and Bows; Jill Campbell in McFarlane''s Butchers; Judy Caplin in the Bowes Museum Shop; Suzanne Williams in Zara Countrywear and F E Wilkinson; Anne Whitfield in Curlews; Donna Richard in Cut Above; and Suzanne Tweddle in Castle Linens.

For information on the artists, log on to www.teesdale artistsnetwork.co.uk.