AN exhibition showing the results of a friendship, several hours of painting and a chat in the pub opens at Pershore Library on Saturday.

The display of watercolours has been staged by the "three companions". They are three amateur artists from the Vale and Redditch who meet once a month at different places in Worcestershire to enjoy each others company and to sketch.

One of the three, John Whybrow, said: "Afterwards we go to a pub, select a corner seat and criticise each other's efforts."

As a result of these carefree expeditions and discussing their other paintings, they decided to put 36 (a dozen each) of their pictures on show.

Mr Whybrow lives in Redditch and enjoys walking as well as sketching. His 12 paintings on display will mainly include scenes from around the Vale and further afield.

He will be joined by Phillippa Hilton of Elmley Castle who studied art at school before going on to become a nurse, however her love of art has remained and she enjoys painting in watercolours.

She, along with John Hodgkins, who makes up the trio, was a founder member of Elmley Castle Art Class, which was launched last year.

Mr Hodgkins' section of the exhibition takes on a foreign air with scenes from Tuscany, the Isles of Scilly and Switzerland. However, local views can be enjoyed with his pictures of St Mary's Church in Elmley Castle and the village in autumn.

Most of the paintings are for sale and range in price from £55 up to £150. The Three Companions exhibition is free and open daily except Thursdays in the library until December 31.