DISABLED people who use a day centre have been successful in selling their own artwork – before the new exhibition has even opened.

The work of people who go to Broadacres’ ABLE day centre in Colburn is now on display in the ground floor gallery space of the Station in Richmond.

While staff at the Station were still hanging the work for the exhibition, which includes different types of paintings, they were approached by several members of the public wanting to buy some of the work, and three pieces were sold before they had finished.

The Station’s gallery co-ordinator Thea Treweek said: “Three sales before the completion of an exhibition hanging at the Station is a rare occurrence but it demonstrates the talents of the group and we are delighted to be able to showcase their work.

Lynn Tomkinson, manager of the ABLE Centre, said: “Any money we make will be ploughed directly back into the work we do in the centre, so to see three pieces of work before the exhibition even started was amazing."

The exhibition will run until Wednesday, February 11

The ABLE Centre, which caters for people with a wide range of people, including those with dementia, autism, learning and physical disabilities and mental health problems, also recently launched a new website - www.ableartandcrafts.org.uk.