A HEREFORDSHIRE artist has made a French connection.

Ashley Lloyd, from Ross-on-Wye, was given a gold award at the Festival Des Arts in Vierzon.

Work by nine county artists went on show at the festival, which featured more than 200 pieces from across the world.

Mr Lloyd won first prize for his Issues sculpture and intrigued the town with his Not in a Box public art event.

The artist, who travelled with his wife, Vanessa, also took work by Maureen Richardson and Phillip Argyle.

Mike Silverwood, Katherine Amor, Menna Angharad, Jeremy Stiff and Paul Alison all attended, with most staying in the youth hostel.

The group nearly missed out on the trip, as they struggled to find money and transport for the week-long event.

Paul and Alison Bainbridge, of the Hereford Twinning Association, said the French appreciated their attendance.

“We were all in the local paper. They said the Spanish were the guests of honour but the English were the first to arrive,” said Alison.

The organiser has invited local artists to appear at next year’s international show near Clermont Ferrand.