ARTISTIC pupils from across the borough have come together to celebrate "A Wealth in Common".

That's the title of a new exhibition at Bury Art Gallery, designed to celebrate the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Youngsters from six local high schools, Radcliffe, Woodhey, Castlebrook, Broad Oak, Cloughside and the Derby, took part in workshops organised by Artists in Schools. They created work inspired by Commonwealth artists on the themes of youth, fusion, diversity and identity.

Year 7 pupils from Castlebrook enjoyed two days working with London artist Nahem Shoa to paint their self-portraits, which hang in the exhibition alongside Nahem's giant head portraits.

The show boasts work from six artists, including Bury's own Lawrence Higgins. Born of British and Afro-Caribbean parents, he studied at Goldsmiths' College in London and his work was bought for the Arts Council Collection. He took his own life in 1988, aged just 24. His paintings here show aspects of his day-to-day life.

The remaining five artists comprise Joelle Ferly, a French Caribbean digital artist; Kate Genever, white and British from Leeds, whose work uses hospital X-ray equipment; Australian photographer Marlene Little who captures examples of graffiti.

South African photographic artist Michelle Sank and portrait artist Nahem Shoa complete the list.

Mr Richard Burns, gallery curator, said: "We are all the product of our birth and upbringing. They are what make us individuals, but also what give us a sense of cultural identity. The work of both the artists and the schools communicates this very clearly."

The exhibition was officially opened by Mr Mark Sanders, chief executive of Bury Council.

The show runs until July 13 at the Moss Street museum, which is open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.