A GROUP of artists who are having works exhibited for the first time in St Helens say they found inspiration in the town's glass heritage.

Textile 21's exhibition Light Fantastic is on display at the World of Glass and members added that they were also influenced for the exhibition by the venue itself.

“It’s such a stimulating environment that it has inspired us all,” said Textile 21 member Susan Darby.

“A key theme for our work is the passage of light through glass. But we’ve also been inspired by the collection of art and artefacts in The World of Glass as well as its history.”

Susan added she was fascinated by the effects of light through broken glass.

“I’ve used Perspex and textiles to create the kind of distortions you get through shards of broken glass."

Fellow exhibitors have used St Helens' glass industry past as another influential factor.

Terri Jones sewed with plastic to create textile items that evoke the protective clothing that glassworkers wore.

And Nabila Nagi looked at various glass items and then worked with fine wire to create a range of objects such as goblets, teapots and spectacles.

Meanwhile, Denise Williams’ exhibit A Light in Dark Places makes use of layers of fine silk and semi-transparent fabrics to create the effect of flashes of light through a window.

Textile 21 who meet monthly and run workshops and study days, have had exhibitions across the North West.

Light Fantastic runs in Gallery One at The World of Glass until Friday, November 4.