AN ARTS co-operative is opening a gallery and exhibition centre in the heart of Northwich.

Visual Arts Cheshire (VAC) is opening the new venture in the former Connexions office, near Northwich Library, on Saturday, February 9.

The aim of the gallery is to benefit both local and visiting artists, providing a platform to expose their work in the town centre.

Admission is free and the gallery will be open during the day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

VAC are planning a programme of exhibitions, talks, demonstrations and workshops.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We offer a warm welcome to members of the general public, school groups, art students etc and we are sure that the exhibitions and workshops will be both inspiring and informative.”

VAC was formed last year by a group of volunteer local artists who hope the town centre venue will become a creative hub for local artists and the wider community.

They are being supported by Development of the Arts in Northwich (DAN), Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) and the CWAC locality team.

The first exhibition is ‘The Lightfoot Letters’ – a fusion of textile art, poetry and social history by Warrington artist Maria Walker and Northwich poet Angela Topping.

VAC is looking for volunteers and donations to support and sustain the venture.

For more information, email the team on visualartscheshire@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/groups/visualartscheshire.