AN artist has used the contents of her garden to inspire work for her first exhibition.

Amateur painter Wendy Ainley, has her first solo exhibition, Floral Medley, at Kirkleatham Museum, in Redcar.

The 58 paintings, which are mostly watercolours, are images from her well-stocked Redcar garden and the product of three years work.

Mrs Ainley said: "The more time I've had, the more I've been able to enjoy painting. I thought perhaps I'd have a go."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, said: "We are always encouraging local artists to come along and display their works."

The exhibition runs until April 22.