This week a church in west Cumbria hosted a special event to celebrate the work of a world famous artist from the area.

St Mary's Church in Cleator Moor hosted an art exhibition showcasing works created from many different people in the area.

The event was also to celebrate the parish receiving a painting from Conrad Atkinson who is originally from Cleator Moor, but has since received world wide recognition for his work.

Sean Close, a volunteer at the church who helped to organise the event, said: "The presentation of the tapestry which is entitled 'The ear of Van Gogh with the erroneous blood of Jesus' was made by John Cox on behalf of the internationally renowned artist and creator of the Tapestry, Conrad Atkinson. The tapestry was presented to St Mary's church as part of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the church. Conrad Atkinsons was born and bred on Cleator Moor.

"He attended St Patrick's School and St Mary's church and has many fond memories of his childhood at Cleator Moor. The presentation was attended by fifty invited guests, most of whom were fellow amateur local artists. The presentation marked the opening of The Art Exhibition which was held in the Parish rooms and long corridor which leads from the Sacristry to the Presbytery."

The Art Exhibition and presentation of a tapestry to St Mary's Church by Conrad Atkinson took place on Thursday 13th of January at 6pm in St Mary's Church Cleator.

After a very successful run at Cleator the Art Exhibition is transferring to St Joseph's Church Hall Frizington and will run from Friday 21st of January to Saturday 23rd of January. Opening hours for the exhibition are now 10am to 4pm on all three days.

As St Mary's Church is celebrating it's 150th anniversary there will be more events happening this year to celebrate the occasion.

Some of the events include a flower festival which will take place in May and a celebratory mass with Bishop Swarbrick on the 23rd June.