ART students are shedding a little light on Finland.

The Blue Light's Nation exhibition in Thirsk features art from 14 Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic students.

A year in the planning, the display shows how the students seek to promote Finnish culture through their work.

English-born tutor John Collins said: "Without doubt, it was the right decision to come here.

"It has been great for their education, and they have learnt everything about setting up and running an exhibition.

"We originally planned to go to London, but they are really getting the cultural experience here."

The work of the final year students at Finland's northern-most polytechnic has been placed in St Mary's Church.

An interest in James Herriot prompted the students to head for Thirsk for their first overseas exhibition.

The students have created a website for the exhibition, at www.tokem.fi/kulttuuri/bln.

The Blue Light's Nation exhibition is on show at the church between 10am and 4pm until today.