Patients' art is put on display

The library will house the artwork until the end of 2007

Artwork created by mental health patients to celebrate Liverpool's cultural heritage is going on display.

The exhibition, inspired by artists Adrian Henri and Peter Blake, is being showcased at Liverpool Central Library as part of 2008 events.

Each patient produced two pieces of art depicting the city's history of music and art during sessions at a mental health unit in Broadgreen.

The colourful images feature icons such as The Beatles and the Gormley statues.

This is a fantastic project which has brought together people from different sections of the community Colin Eldridge, Liverpool City Council

Liverpool figures George Melly and Adrian Henri himself can be seen in the work, which has been made into two collages.

The exhibition has been organised by Liverpool Community College and Mersey Care NHS Trust.

Councillor Colin Eldridge, executive member for libraries at Liverpool City Council said: "This is a fantastic project which has brought together people from different sections of the community and given them the chance to express what Liverpool's culture means to them."

The album artwork was part of the patients inspiration

The artwork also celebrates Liverpool's twinning with Stavanger, the Norwegian city, preparing to be non-European Capital of Culture in 2008.

It is hoped it will pave the way for a major cultural exchange between mental health services in both cities.

Judy Mazonowicz, project co-ordinator at Liverpool Community College, said: "All the service users involved on this artwork have mental health problems and the work they do with us helps raise their self-esteem and breaks down barriers at attending college."

The exhibition will remain on display at the library until the end of 2007, it will then move on to Childwall Library and Spellow Library, Walton.