A TEESDALE artist says the building which will host his new exhibition was the inspiration behind much of latest work.

Anthony Clark, an associate of the Royal College of Art, has put together a collection of paintings, etchings and drawings which he has called Floral Journey.

The exhibition will is currently on display at the restaurant at Eggleston Hall, near Barnard Castle until the 4th of July 2009.

The restaurant overlooks the beautiful grounds of the stunning seventeenth century manor.

"The gardens and plants from Eggleston have greatly inspired and informed my work so it is fitting that Eggleston should be the venue for the exhibition of my work," said Mr Clark, who has a workshop in Whorlton, near Barnard Castle.

"The gardens will be in full bloom throughout the summer months, so it will provide an ideal foil to the work on display in the Garden Restaurant."

Eggleston Halls Garden Restaurant is open from 10am until 5pm every day except Mondays although the restaurant will be open on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Eggleston Hall is owned by Sir William and Lady Gray and its extensive gardens, which includes a 16th century churchyard, displays a collection of plants and flowers from its nursery gardens.

"Its a real pleasure to have an artist as talented as Anthony Clark draw his inspiration from our gardens and plants at Eggleston," said Sir William.

"Floral Journey is a beautiful collection of work and will bring much pleasure to our visitors in the coming months."