A DEBUT art exhibition opens to the public today in the atmospheric setting of an ancient castle.

Brancepeth Castle, near Durham City, is to host the first show by Frances Thirlway Fine Art.

The show, which features more than 50 paintings and pieces of sculpture created by ten professional artists, runs until Monday. It is open from 11am to 3pm each day and all the pieces are available to buy.

The venture has been established by Frances Thirlway, a former head of grants with the County Durham Foundation and a long-standing collector of contemporary art.