ART workshops are planned to help older people and people living with dementia take a trip down memory lane.

The ArtWork Studio and Gallery, in Navigation Road, will hold the first session on Thursday, January 15, from 1pm to 2pm.

Carolyn Shepherd, from the gallery, said: "We're going to be using memory prompts like music from the 1940s and 50s, vintage fabrics, pictures of Northwich and Hollywood stars.

"These will be used to prompt the people coming to the workshop to make their own creative response."

The workshops will be held on the third Thursday of each month and art materials will be provided.

The initiative itself has been prompted by Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) drive to make Northwich the first dementia friendly town in west Cheshire and change the way people think about dementia.

ArtWork Studio and Gallery, which has exhibition space, artists' studios and runs a number of different workshops, is also next door to the Alzheimer's Society and Carolyn is a Dementia Friend.

"The idea was inspired because we're trying to be a dementia friendly town," Carolyn said.

"The Alzheimer's Society is next door so they can refer people too.

"They've lost funding for a lot of their little groups so it's worked out quite well that I can offer something new.

"But these are for any older people, not necessarily people living with dementia."

For those who do have dementia, Carolyn said the studios also could offer a warm welcome to carers.

"In our studios we have a sofa area and workshop area so carers will be able to sit and chat and get peer to peer support," Carolyn said.

"It doesn't feel like a classroom but a creative environment with a warm atmosphere.

"This is a new thing for us but we will try the first couple and hopefully more people will come on board and it will be a real success."

The workshops are funded from CWAC councillors' budgets.

To book a place on the workshop email artenquiry@artworkstudios.co.uk or ring  0845 250 1275.