A Newent delicatessen has become an unlikely venue for a new art exhibit.

At first, portraits of shop regulars in A Basket for All Seasons in Broad Street were scribbled down on humble paper bags.

Then the young artists in question moved on to more sophisticated white boards.

Now, although the paper bags have fallen apart, the white boards are to be preserved by shop owner, Peter Walker, to create a talking point and a permanent gallery at the Broad Street shop

Mr Walker explained that teenage employees made the first portraits, to assist him in recognising their friends from the Newent Community School.

He said: "I would be asked, has so and so come in? The portraits would help me recognise people."

Now there are around eighty portraits on the boards, including several by members of staff at the school.