EYE-CATCHING art has been infused onto everyday parts of a Wear Valley town as part of a two-week festival.

Art Land, an event running in Bishop Auckland until Saturday April 26, is designed to bring art to people who don’t usually visit galleries.

Installations by 15 artists include a floral work in a disused shop window and an Andy Warhol-style graffiti design in an alleyway.

The festival is the brainchild of North-East artists Vicky Holbrough and James Lowther and could become an annual event. Ms Holbrough said: "Art Land is all about making people’s everyday experiences a little bit more interesting and getting residents, professionals and visitors to appreciate the wonderful qualities of Bishop Auckland."

Among the works on show are Go North East bus tickets, which have been decorated by artist Graham Dolphin with song lyrics.

A team of seamstresses led by Newcastle-based artist Kate Stobbart will entertain customers of the Tut ‘N’ Shive pub on Newgate Street on Saturday April 18 to stitch artwork onto people’s clothing.

Landlady Shelley Walker said: "I think people will really enjoy Art Land and some people might even find it amusing.

"The way I see it is that if our regulars won’t go to the arts then we’ll bring the arts to them."

The shadow of Auckland Park deer shelter has also been traced with a lawnmower in a bid by Cumberland artist Steve Messam to capture the imagination of visitors.

Linda Golding, town clerk for Bishop Auckland Town Council, said: "It is hoped that the event in its unique format will attract many people, both existing art lovers and newcomers to this type of creative event."

Sally Dixon, cultural development manager with Durham County Council, said Art Land will complement the Wear Valley Food Festival to be held in the grounds of Auckland Castle on Saturday April 18.

She said: "The festival has the potential to raise the profile of Bishop Auckland, County Durham and the North-East, using contemporary visual arts as a tool to promote the town as a unique and attractive place to live and work, thus having an economic impact."

For more information on the festival and a full list of works on display visit: www.artlandne.com.