VISUALLY impaired residents in Newton-le-Willows have been using their creative skills thanks to a project with help from a local art studio.

Run by Piotr and Paula Pietrzak, Passsoul, based on Market Street, Newton, has been helping six people with visual impairments in upcycling old furniture and other wooden objects for artistic purposes in the '22 Dragons' project.

The artists, who all have different kinds of sight problems, including one who is fully blind, have immersed themselves in workshops. Launched in January, it is the second year Passsoul has run the initiative.

And their creative offerings went on display at Earlestown market on Thursday (October 15).

Piotr and Paula said the purpose of the project was to create a place in Newton-le-Willows for supporting visually impaired people willing to search and experiment in art and "make the impossible possible".

"According to their wishes we started with furniture upcycling but our expectations for the future are unlimited," they said.

"Results have exceeded our wildest expectations. Initially we were just focused on pleasant participation but very quickly we discovered that we didn’t need to compromise on quality of art work.

"Participants' willingness as well as our careful observations let us all enjoy the process and share satisfaction with the outcome.

"Our workshops became a very important point of the Dragons' weekly routine. We feel responsible for keeping it alive. Unfortunately we haven’t found farther funds so far, this is our only concern."

Meanwhile, Passsoul has also helped local schoolchildren get creative and to learn about Newton's history in the 'Art-le-Craft 2015' project, which was also exhibited on the day.

There were 100 children from Wargrave and Lyme primary schools and another 40 from other schools who got involved in workshops, combining art and craft techniques with Newton-le-Willows history and tradition.

For more information on the projects visit www.passsoul.co.uk.