A new gallery has opened in Tenterden which hopes to promote the area’s thriving art community.

Painter and sculptor Christine Hopwood opened The Garrett Gallery off Sayers Lane last month and together with a core of 12 local artists is keen to seek arts funding to boost its appeal.

She said: “The initial idea was to form an artists’ co-operative. It was shelved for a couple of years and then my husband who used this space as his office suggested I use it.”

The three-storey setting now houses a range of work, from paintings and photography to sculpture by such local artists as Pauline Tweedy, Lisa Goslett, Becky Mair, Val Butcher, Mark Thatcher, Royal Academy artist Alessia Avellino and Mrs Hopwood herself.

Work is for sale and the gallery opens Thursday to Saturday 10am to 4pm with some Sunday opening.

For more information visit www.garrettgallery.co.uk or ring 07935 251087.