DURHAM'S medieval manor is opening its gardens to art lovers as it hosts its sixth annual summer exhibition.

Art In The Garden will be held at Crook Hall, Sidegate, every day in August, apart from Fridays, and will feature the work of 18 Northern arts and craft workers including previous exhibitors David Gross, who makes large wooden sculptures, Dennis Kilgallan, who sculpts stone, Graham Hopper, who works in metal, and Simone Lyon, who produces stoneware ceramics.

A Crook Hall spokeswoman said: "They are joined by artists showing their work in the region for the first time.

"We are delighted to have the work of renowned blacksmith artist Brian Russell who is a regular contributor on BBC2 gardening programmes.

"We also have the fabulous work of glass sculptors Stephen Beardsell, Roger Tye and also Anthony Pollock, with his beautiful stained-glass sculptures and jewellery.

"In contrast to this are stunning exhibits from earthenware sculptor Graham Taylor, steel sculptors Ray Lonsdale, Jim Roberts and Gary Pickles, all of whom specialise in pieces for the outdoors."

Exhibits will be for sale and visitors will be able to see some of the artists at work in the gardens during the exhibition.

Calligrapher Marlene Gray will demonstrate her art inside the Medieval Hall on Sunday, August 22.

The exhibition will be open from 1 to 5pm and entry costs £4 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and £12 for families. For further details, call 0191-384 8028.

Published: 29/07/2005