IT'S art with a heart week at a gallery where exhibits will be sold off to raise cash for a disabled group.

The Glass Gallery, Medomsley Road, Consett, is holding a large scale sell-off of the work of 62 North-East artists to raise money for a local theatre group which works with disabled people.

The week was launched by the gallery founder, Maralyn O'Keefe, as part of the celebrations of the centre's first year of trading. To mark the event, Mrs O'Keefe, who converted her front bedroom into the gallery, unveiled a new 6ft glass sculpture at a launch party.

Also present were members of the Special Needs Unity Group (Snug), based at South Moor, which gives disabled and non- disabled youngsters the chance to stage major theatre productions. Money raised from the sale will go to the group, who performed musical numbers from Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King at the party, as part of their fundraising effort to go to next year's Edinburgh Festival.

Mrs O'Keefe said: "It would be wonderful if we could make a contribution towards Snug's performance at the Fringe Festival. I am delighted by the support that the local art community has given to this event."

Mrs O'Keefe has exhibited her work in Philadelphia, Washington DC and Gran Canaria.

She received national attention when one of her sculptures was presented to the people of Omagh, Northern Ireland, by former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam.