AN EXHIBITION of abstract art and poetry has opened in a themed laundrette.

The Abstraction of Verse project is a collaboration between photographer and artist Andrew Belshaw and poet and publisher Sheree (CORR) Mack, both from North Tyneside.

The project emerged from a Facebook friendship between the two contributors and resulted in the creation of an exhibition and the publication of a book of the same name in December.

Mr Belshaw created 24 abstract images, for which Ms Mack wrote accompanying poetry.

A touring exhibition has begun and reached the Old Cinema Laundrette, on Marshall Terrace, Durham City, on Friday (February 15). It will be on display there until Friday, March 15. Entry is free.

The artists hope the exhibition will subsequently visit Liverpool and London.

The book, 60 pages in full colour published by ID on Tyne, is available at exhibition venues, priced £11.99.