A unique collection of work created by artists of all ages and abilities is on display in the town.

The third Macclesfield Open Art exhibition, held at the Silk Museum on Park Lane, has been organised to showcase emerging talent and give local artists the opportunity to exhibit their work, whether they are young, old, amateur or professional.

Geoff Archer, who co-organises the event, said the event is the biggest yet. He said: “With almost 300 works, submitted from as far afield as Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Stoke, of which over 180 have been selected, this year’s exhibition is bigger and better than ever.

“The standard of the work is extremely high, with excellent examples of printmaking, sculpture, jewellery and, of course, painting.”

More than 180 pieces were chosen to appear in the exhibition and organisers have settled on the top three for a trio of prizes

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'Bembridge, Isle of Wight' by Michelle Stringer

Mum-of-two Michelle Stringer, 51, who completed a foundation degree at Macclesfield College two years ago, won the £100 Mail Boxes Etc. Award, chosen and donated by the company, for her impressionistic study of ‘Bembridge, Isle of Wight’.

She said: “It was a complete surprise. I’ve entered and had work accepted at the Macclesfield Open twice before, but it is the first time I’ve had a prize.”

Michelle, who has a regular stall at the Treacle Market, added: “I think the standard is excellent this year. It’s a good exhibition to look around and I really would encourage people to go and have a look.”

She added: “I’ve always been impressed and encouraged by the creative talent in Macclesfield and that’s what inspired me to retrain.”

The £200 Macclesfield Open Award, donated by the museum, went to Hifumi Ogasahara, from Manchester for her atmospheric painting ‘Night on Earth: Seoul’.

Peter Davis, from Wilmslow, was given the £200 Silk Museum Award, for his portrait ‘My Mother Joyce’.

'My Mother Joyce' by Peter Davis

A fourth prizewinner - the £100 Visitors’ Choice Award - will be chosen by visitors to the exhibition, who are encouraged to vote for their favourites.

The artist whose work receives most votes will be announced in January.

The exhibition opened at the end of November and will continue until Saturday, January 9, 2016.

The museum is open from 10am until 3pm every day except Sunday, and entry to the exhibition is free.

'Night on Earth: Seoul' by Hifumi Ogasahara