AN exhibition of rural paintings by an award-winning artist is currently drawing the crowds to Warminster library.

The gallery put together by Somerset artist Margaret Wickins includes 64 pieces of work in an exhibition called Paintings and Drawings.

The artist, who started painting as a hobby, now has her work hanging in galleries across the US and northern Europe and specialises in depicting rural England.

Retired Margaret Wickins said: "I started painting just as a hobby but now I am at it for about five hours a day. You could say my work is very environmentally friendly because most of it is unspoilt areas of Wiltshire countryside."

The former accountant has won four national awards for landscape, abstract, still life and portrait artwork.

Head librarian Richard Violet said: "The art on show is exceptional I think the quality is very high.

"It has been very popular and a steady stream of people have been coming through all week."

Paintings and Drawings will be on view until January 31 in the library's exhibition room.