ANGRY artists are homeless after being told to leave their no-rent studio.

It follows a row with their landlord over the quality of work.

Accrington Art Co-operative members were told to remove their belongings after businessman Kevin Cosgrove said the standard of their work needed improving. His ultimatum came just months after he offered the rooms for free.

Mr Cosgrove said today he had serious concerns about the quality of work being produced. The premises would be re-opened later to display works of art but only after he had vetted them.

Mr Cosgrove originally offered artists in the town space in one of his properties, above William Hill bookmakers in Blackburn Road, in a bid to promote creativity. Some 30 artists - sculptors, painters, modellers, even musicians - have since used the rooms. A visitors' book is full of positive comments.

But the plug was pulled on the project last week, with artists claiming Mr Cosgrove had described their work as "rubbish." Mr Cosgrove denied the claim, but said there was a "quality control issue" which needed to be addressed. George Heron, chairman of the co-operative, said: "He invited us in, gave us rooms free and all credit to him for that. There was some good work going on. People were getting inspiration off each other and visitors were really impressed.

"But then last week he told us our work was rubbish and unless we started selling our work more cheaply and making it more mainstream, we would all have to leave."

Mr Cosgrove said: "I gave them the site free but it didn't work out. I wanted to make art accessible, but some was very strange to say the least. I said we needed to control the amount of art coming through but the artists took offence and left.

"I am now refurbishing the building to make it more suitable for exhibitions which will be more carefully controlled."

Meanwhile, artists are invited to exhibit their work free in Mr Cosgrove's pine shop in Oxford Street.