Members of a Sandwell painting group have been brushing up on their skills with an exhibition of winter scenes put together in time for Christmas.

Galton Valley Painting Group, which meets every Thursday at Galton Valley Canal Museum, Smethwick, has spent the last year painting canal scenes and perfecting techniques.

They have been working on snowy scenes from around the Black Country as well as other winter images.

A selection of paintings are now on display and for sale at the museum.

Christmas cards of their paintings are also on sale at the centre. Some of the members of the group are producing Eid cards from their paintings, which will also be on display.

The Galton Valley Painting Group started more a year ago. It began life as a group for people with disabilities, but members are now of all abilities and from all sections of the community.

Museum assistant Chris Holloway, who runs the groups, said: "None of the people could paint when they first joined the group, but they have come such along way and achieved so much.

"The paintings and Christmas cards will make an ideal present so we would urge people to visit the museum and see what is on offer."

Cabinet member for culture and leisure Cllr Linda Horton said: "This just shows the variety of events that we put on in the borough. This is an ideal way to get even more interested in Christmas."

Call 0121 558 8195 or visit http://www.museums.sandwell.gov.uk/ for more details.