An eclectic art exhibition has opened at Rutland County Museum to showcase the broad range of talent the county has to offer.

The Rutland Open Exhibition is the latest project to be hosted by the Arts For Rutland team.

It opened with a launch party and prize-giving on Friday evening.

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Vic chairman of Arts For Rutland, Peter Davis, said: "The exhibition is open in every sense of the word. It is open to anyone and covers all artistic mediums with no subject theme.

"The pieces on show are the very best of what was entered.

"There is an incredibly high standard and a real diversity of mediums and themes."

The launch event included entertainment by people who have received grants from Arts For Rutland to help them develop their artistic skills.

They included dancer Charlie Wallace, who received a donation to help secure a place at Tring Park School for Performing Arts and the Rutland Morris Men who are going on tour to Albania this year.

The Rutland Saxophone Ensemble also performed after receiving a grant to help with their costs.

High Sheriff of Rutland, Sue Jarron, presented prizes to the winners.

They included the Three Arts Society Trophy which was won by Harry Hamill, Arts For Rutland winner Mike Moralee and runner-up Stella Benford.

Artists Andrea Naylor, Hana Smid and Richard Allen were highly commended by the judges.

The exhibition continues at Rutland County Museum in Oakham, until April 5.

It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am until 4pm.

Arts For Rutland chairman Joy Everitt added: "The exhibition was open to everyone with an artistic flair to showcase all the wonderful work that is happening in Rutland.

"The poster for our event featured a picture by Roy Holley who was one of the founder members of the Rutland Open Exhibition and this is a tribute to Roy and all his fantastic work within the visual arts in our county."

The adult exhibition follows a successful young competition last month.