A GALLERY for Art Couture costumes has been built in Painswick.

The gallery is part of a major redevelopment of the Painswick Centre, on which £82,000 has been spent in the last four years.

In the latest stage of the refurbishment the centre’s Gardiner Room was transformed into the gallery for Art Couture to show off the fantastic costumes which have featured in the festival over the last few years.

The gallery will also sell memorabilia from the festivals including the wristbands that went on sale this year.

This is the last room to be refurbished at the centre in Bisley Street and the redevelopment has transformed a building which dates back more than 100 years.

Trustee Mike Steed led the gallery project with design support from Art Couture.

Work included installing central heating, re-painting and laying a new stone floor – which was donated by Mandarin Stone Tiles and Flooring.

David Linsell, chairman of the trustees, said: "The Painswick Centre is extremely popular and used by up to 1,000 people every week.

"It has always been an important part of the community and our visitors deserve an attractive centre."

The centre, which is run by five trustees, can be hired for events, public and private functions and also acts as a focus for artists and craftsmen.

For more information about the Painswick Centre visit www.thepainswickcentre.com.