ONE of the exciting things about being on the arts trail is discovering a new talent.

And believe me there's plenty in this region.

Maybe it's the inspirational surroundings that generate such a huge amount of creativity.

Susan Heywood is such a talent.

She owns Sue's Cumbria Snack Bar in The Square, Milnthorpe.

Her creative streak only surfaced four years ago -hard to believe looking at the standard of her work, and the fact that she's self-taught.

Fishing at Sunset, Sandside, and View over Bassenthwaite Lake will be the Sandside artist's contribution to this year' s Milnthorpe Men's Forum exhibition running today (Friday) tomorrow and Sunday.

Ian Dunn is another new name to me.

He lives at Crooklands.

A retired picture framer who was also an art teacher many years ago at Lancaster Art School.

I like Ian' s Impressionist style, and his subject matter - maritime scenes.

His seascapes are particularly appealing.

Transporting gunpowder from Gatebeck to Milnthorpe is an historical work with a golden glow.

Husband and wife team Marion Bradley and Jim Riley (James Ingham Riley) need little introduction.

Two of the county's finest painters, they will be among the numerous creators taking part.

The Milnthorpe exhibition, in St Thomas's Church, is always a cracking show.

A superb mix of professional and amateur artisans exhibiting around 400 pieces: traditional, contemporary in all forms, ceramics, sculptures and wood carvings, displayed in two galleries within the church.

All proceeds from the exhibition are divided between the church's Restoration Fund and a local charity.

This year the beneficiary is the excellent Milnthorpe Steel Band, who will play outside St Thomas's, weather permitting, on the Saturday of the exhibition.

The exhibition runs from 10am-7pm, Sunday 10am-3pm.