PLACES are available on a Christmas art skills day which promises to give people tips and ideas for festive gifts and decorations.

The event will be led by artist Bea Menier at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road, Old Town, on Saturday.

She will be demonstrating how to make professional looking Christmas cards and customise objects such as vases and bottles which can be revamped using a banding wheel.

Among the techniques which will be taught are corking, stippling, frotage, stencilling, wood graining and gilding.

Places for the event, which takes place between 10am and 4pm, are £17 or £15 for concessions and include the cost of all materials. They can be booked by calling the Arts Centre on 614837.