MORE than 50 artists, including painters, printmakers and photographers, have been selected from 700 entries to feature in the The Great North Art Show.

The open exhibition, which was established in 2001 to promote the quality and diversity of contemporary art in the North with thousands of visitors annually from home and abroad, will be staged at Ripon Cathedral, from August 29 to September 20.

The show's organisers said while the North has produced many famous and highly acclaimed artists, the event provided a place to exhibit and promote work that does not involves packing artworks to send to London.

A show spokesman said: "Often, galleries want to see the collection even before they choose to exhibit, so being an artist in the North can quickly become very expensive."

Among those chosen to exhibit are North Yorkshire artists Neil McBride, Eve Olsen and Russell Lumb.

Mr Mcbride, who launched contemporary art career in 2010 after 40 years working in advertising and graphic design, will display a series of paintings featuring crowds of people in landscapes.

Former interior designer Ms Olsen will exhibit figurative wall sculpture influenced by memories and life experiences.

For details about the show, visit greatnorthartshow.co.uk