NEARLY 90 items produced by amateur artists young and old have gone on display at Eastleigh Museum.

The popular museum in the town's High Street decided to throw open its doors to artists living, working or studying in the borough. The invitation has been taken up by a host of talented amateurs, with the youngest exhibitors being in their teens and the oldest aged 90.

Paintings, textile art, photographs and crafts are included in the exhibition which will run until June 22.

Subjects range from Eastleigh's burnt out former Church of the Resurrection and the golden age of steam trains to ballet dancers and exotic animals.

One of the first visitors to the new exhibition was Botley resident Andrew Schulkins, who applauded the idea of displaying the fruits of local talent.

He said: "We come here occasionally because they do have some very good exhibitions. You get some very different things in here.

"I think it is a good idea to give local artists a platform. It is very difficult for local people or artists starting out to have their work exhibited."