A PHOTOGRAPHER who uses digital technology to create artworks has opened a gallery in rural north Durham.

Dave Foster, 48, has launched Northpoint Multimedia in Front Street, Shotley Bridge, near Consett.

He said: "The sleepy hollow of Shotley Bridge is a strange place to find a multimedia company, but we like it here."

The business has been established in the village for three years.

Since it opened, Mr Foster has carried out film and photo commissions for businesses.

He decided to open the gallery to display his 2ft by 6ft photographs, which have been transformed into ink works of digital art through a process known as Giclee printing.

Mr Foster, of Consett, said: "The technology is getting cheaper all the time, so I thought I would make it available to the general public."

He also offers a service where people can bring in old photographs that can be transformed using the same process and he can turn static pictures into more expansive and animated DVDs.

Mr Foster said: "We have already done one for the Ministry of Defence, based on photographs taken by the Royal Marines in Iraq. From their stills, we produced a seven-and-a-half minute video that really makes the hackles rise on the back of your neck."

For further details on his work, contact the shop on (01207) 580921.