ART lovers can enjoy a varied mix of pieces as a gallery kicks off the year with its latest showcases.

Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre has a wide variety of artworks on show, including animal portraits by young artist Lorren Francis.

Lorren's eyecatching pieces – including images of dogs, foxes, bears, deer, giraffes and wolves – earned first prize in last year's Oswestry and Shropshire Art Competition.

Also on display are works by painter Chris Goodwin whose striking exhibition, entitled Wildwood, draws on northern European folklore and the Romantic tradition in paining and poetry.

Meanwhile, Christine McHardy – who lives near Lake Vyrnwy – showcases a selection of paintings inspiredby the lake and its surrounding mountains and woodland.

"I have lived there for a number of years and everyday walk through its magical landscape, each day something different capturing my eye," she said.