CONTEMPORARY art focussing on the theme of Morecambe Bay is causing a stir in a Lancaster gallery.

It is the work of AIM artists formerly known as Artists in Morecambe who have spent 10 months working on the theme of the bay to come up with a challenging look at their environment following the cockling tragedy last February.

"We just wanted to step back, open our eyes and look again at where we live and what we do as artists. We felt it was time to put something back and present our feelings about the area," says spokesman Chris Amriding.

The project's initial showing is at the Ashton Memorial at Williamson Park until February 19, before it moves on to other venues in the North West.

Artists involved are David French, Dawn Blackmore, Simon Taylor and Chris Amriding, who have chosen different approaches to their experiences of the Bay, concentrating on the town itself as well as the surrounding coast.

David French says: "I've depicted the place as I perceive it to have changed over the past 30 years. It has become a trap for those living there, no work, poor housing and no hope of escaping.

"This has led me to associate it with a kind of open prison or rehab centre for those who have hit a low in their lives..."

Judge for yourselves in the gallery at the Ashton Memorial, Williamson Park.