PRINTMAKERS, painters and photographers have been showing off their creative skills in the Wylye Valley Art Trail.

The collection, which also features textiles, pottery and sculpture, is a nine-day celebration of visual arts across south and west Wiltshire.

It runs until Sunday and provides a unique opportunity to meet and talk to artists about their work.

Exhibitions, galleries and workshops are running in 47 venues from Tisbury to West Ashton.

Many are free to take part in and a lot of the art is up for sale.

West Wiltshire District Council chairman, Paul Batchelor opened one end of the trail on Saturday.

Organiser Nick Andrew, 47, of Crockerton, said: "There is something for everybody and that is why this is such a success.

"It ranges from quite traditional forms of art to the much more experimental.

"So far people have been turning up in really good numbers.

"They have often said, some things we really like and others we are not so keen on.

"On Bank Holiday Monday, around 180 people came to Bull Mill where my exhibition is based.

"It has been a lot of

hard work but definitely

very worthwhile as people

just seem to be really

interested."

The trail has run every two years since 2001 and bosses say this year is shaping up as the most successful yet.

It features a range of professional and amateur artists and Mr Andrew says this appeals to a wide spectrum of art lovers.

"Some people want to have a go at being creative but are a bit intimidated," he said.

"If they speak to someone who has just become involved two years ago and now is involved in an exhibition it is really inspiring.

"A lot of events allow people to take part so that is really inspirational.

"For example there is stone carving in Heytesbury and clay modelling in Dilton Marsh."

Free maps detailing all the sites covered by the trail are available from tourist information centres, libraries and art centres or at www.wvat.co.uk