An inventive art exhibition raised £1,500 for a church remodelling project.

The Somerset Art Weeks exhibition at West Monkton Church sold over £3,500 worth of original artwork.

This was the first time the Grade I listed church took part in the event.

As well as the exhibition, volunteers at the church put on a range of events for the community, including the exhibition of wedding dresses and an annual Christmas tree festival.

Church volunteer Tricia Cavill said: "It was wonderful to welcome so many visitors to our Somerset Art Weeks exhibition, both regular churchgoers and those visiting us, and West Monkton itself, for the first time.

"We saw over 430 people from across Somerset, as well as folk visiting the county from as far afield as London, France, and even Brisbane, Australia."

(Image: West Monkton Church) She added: "Our team of exhibition volunteers have been thrilled to host such a wide variety of pieces – watercolours, digital artwork, oil paintings, mixed media, pottery, and everything in between.

"We have been bowled over by the feedback from visitors which consistently mentioned the beauty and peaceful ambiance here, as well as the friendliness of our team."

The money from the exhibition will go towards a project to remodel some of the church's interior to create a community hub, which at present does not exist in the village.

This will offer space for craft groups, exercise classes, and other activities to support families and combat isolation.

More information about the church and its facilities can be found at westmonktonchurch.co.uk.

The church community would be interested in hearing from groups who may wish to use the church for concerts, meetings, and exhibitions of their own.