AN artist in residence has turned her front room into a exhibition for people devastated by recent floods in the region.

Jean Grant, who is working as an environmental and community artist in Skinningrove, has displayed 50 photographs of the recent floods in the village in her home.

All the photos were taken by residents, some of whom were forced from their homes by the flooding two weeks ago. Jean, who started her residency in May, said: "It's been a terrible time but it has also made me more integrated. "My areas of work were self-help and sustainability with the community and this is what I am trying to develop.

"There's a strong ethic and tradition of self-help here and I think the village is made up of very, very strong people, all with a wicked sense of humour.

A further range of services could transfer to the new primary care group trusts, following a review.

"There's a huge will to get back to normal as quickly as possible."

Jean's stay in Skinningrove is funded by the Helix Arts Agency in Sunderland.

As well as displaying residents' photos of the flood Jean wants to utilise some of the elm trees washed down the beck during the bad weather.

Along with residents she plans to inspect the timbers this weekend to see if they could be used to create a children's playground.