Prison art gallery opens

The centre will house 80 works of art by prisoners

An art gallery showcasing the work of inmates at Leyhill open prison is to open its doors to the public.

Staff and local artists will work together with prisoners on a series of projects for the centre, which aims to help them develop skills they will be able to use when they are released back into the community.

Inmates have been taking part in art and craft lessons for a number of years.

The combined craft centre and shop, housed in a converted pig barn, will allow them to showcase their work.

Artists from across the region will be able to rent shop or exhibiton space at the centre, which will open to the public for the first time on 8 November.

Prisoners from HMP Leyhill have won acclaim and numerous awards for their work on gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, and this latest project aims to build on that work.