A CHURCH is packed to the rafters this weekend with paintings, models and other works of art created by a small dales community.

The walls of St Philips and St James' Parish Church in Tow Law, County Durham, are being used as a showcase for art work created by the Weardale villagers.

Among the highlights are clay tiles produced by children from Blessed John Duckett School and Tow Law Millennium Primary.

With the help of artist Phil Townsend, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, they created tiles and covered them with designs of Tow Law landmarks or portraits of themselves. The project, which received funding from the town council and Single Regeneration Budget, will be exhibited in the schools later.

Tow Law's arts and crafts exhibition began ten years ago and this is the first one for four years.

The exhibition takes place today and tomorrow from 11am and 5pm.