AN exhibition of unusual Chinese images is being held at a North-East museum.

The display, called Enlightened Grotesques, runs until March 17 and offers the people the chance to view a series of unusual Chinese Buddhist images chosen from the collection of Durham University's Oriental Museum, in Elvet Hill.

Based on a set of paintings more than 1,000 years old, they feature striking caricatures of legendary Buddhist holy men.

Durham University archaeology student Catriona Smellie said: "What strikes me most about this exhibition is that it depicts a series of individual characters, and although they are enlightened beings, their humanity is obvious through this unusual medium."