THE owner of Crockerton's Lakeside Garden Centre in Crockerton has gone the extra mile to make sure the Wylye Valley Art Trail can take place this year.

The centre - which has been one of the main venues for the trail since 2009 - enables professional artists to show case their work next to bird feeders, barbecues and seed packets.

Earlier this year, the Art Trail was starting to take shape amidst a lot of uncertainty but Lakeside owner, Nick Morgan, knew the original arrangement was not going to be possible as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and came up with an alternative solution.

He hired a traditional marquee from local suppliers White Horse Marquees to situate near the lake so the exhibition of arts and crafts will be in its own bright, separate space.

The nine-day Art Trail takes place from Monday, May 1 to Sunday, May 9 and Lakeside is venue number six.

The four artists exhibiting are Jennie Gilling, Jane Gibson, Cath Bloomfield and Sarah Truscott.Jennie has produced artist’s books of her poetry as well as paintings and cyanotypes; Cath has been exploring figures in lockdown through drawing, printing and collage.

Jane’s ceramics are all pieces made for fun, creating vessels, bowls, jugs and crazy teapots, while Sarah’s woven scarves, rugs and wall-hangings are inspired by her continual love of colour to create both movement and stillness.Jennie Gilling said: "Nick has been so supportive and accommodating at this trying time, going above and beyond - in fact more than the extra mile."