A COUPLE who run a picture framing business in West Burton, near Leyburn, are celebrating their tenth anniversary in the village by holding a delightful and varied art exhibition in their barn.

Bill and Jan Oakey invited artists who have had pictures framed by them in the past few months to exhibit.

"What I like about this exhibition is that it is so diverse," said Mr Oakey. He has some of his own pictures on show alongside those from 17 other local artists including Moira Metcalfe, Andrea Hunter, Joan Harrison, Winifred Hodge, Sue Harpley, Janet Rawlins, Rex Flood and John and Jenny Atkins.

Mr Oakey began framing pictures many years ago when he won an art competition and had to mount an exhibition of his own work. He could not afford to pay a picture framer so did the job himself.

He never expected picture framing to become a major occupation for him and his wife, especially as he had built a career on the management side of the building trade.

"This sort of overtook us," he said. "We thought the picture framing would a bit of a sideline but it took off. Many of the artists are now our friends."

Not that they only frame pictures. He estimated that they frame 60 to 70 different types of items ranging from medals and maps to football shirts.

The exhibition is well worth a visit. Though quite small, it gives a good overall view of the work being undertaken by a wide cross-selection of local artists, including some lovely Dales landscapes.

It is open 10am to 5pm, from Tuesday to Friday, and from 11am to 4pm on Sunday. Pip Land