SILVER and ceramics which were created locally have now gone on display for the first time at Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre.

The items which were created in Lacock during the 20th century and show examples of studio pottery and silver smithing, have been donated from the Wiltshire and Swindon History Museum courtesy of the Creative Wiltshire project.

Alan Fuller, assistant curator at Chippenham Museum, said: “They have gone on display for the very first time and they are on permanent display.

“This is a new area for us, we’ve not previously collected art and crafts in the same way but we want to develop and move forward and try to get more of this type of stuff in the museum.”

The Creative Wiltshire project collects and celebrates the best of Wiltshire's creative talent and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and has already received £178,000 in grants which will rise to £213,550.

Julie Davis, a project officer with the Creative Wiltshire project, said: “The HLF funded Creative Wiltshire project has been a great catalyst, enabling Wiltshire’s participating museums, archives and local studies libraries to look at their collections in a new and refreshing way; to acquire items that represent the creativity that is all around us and which can inspire us all.

“It represents a much needed opportunity for creative work to be recognised as part of Wiltshire’s heritage, celebrated and collected with free access for the benefit of all.”