A VACANT shop in Bromsgrove high street has been utilised to display the work of talented local photographers.

Several of the buildings in the town centre have become vacant within the last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, so Bromsgrove Photographic Society sought permission to create a window exhibition at number 67 showcasing members' pictures.

A spokesman for the society said: "We have close links with Bromsgrove, having run our group in the area for 70 years since its foundation. Pre-Covid, we were based in Avoncroft Art Centre so we are still only down the road and wanted to help to bring something dynamic to the high street, that would grab the attention of passers-by.

"It’s far nicer to look at beautiful photographs, some of which have won a number of competitions both regionally and internationally than to look at the whitewashed windows of empty stores

"What’s more, we are happy to keep the display there, replacing the photographs with new ones, with permission, for as long as it’s needed.

"Even on the day that we were setting up the display, the public was stopping to watch us, pointing at the photographs that had caught their eye.

"What was the most noticeable was the smiles on the onlookers' faces, which were priceless.

"Thank you to the good people of Bromsgrove for welcoming our display in the town and many thanks to those who made it all possible.

The photos on display have been taken by both novices and more experienced photographers, and feature a mixture of black and white and coloured pictures, covering subjects such as insects, fungi, wildlife and portraits.

While members of the society are still unable to attend their usual meetings in person, they still meet on Zoom, take part in competitions and enjoy presentations given by speakers from all over the UK virtually.