WOMEN from Preston have been expressing their inner thoughts on what it's like to be a Muslim living in Britain.

Six women from ethnic backgrounds put their creative thoughts together and produced several images for an exhibition at The Harris Museum.

The Awaaz Project, co-ordinated by Preston Muslim Forum, was based around various themes, including marriage, deception, Islam, oppression, equality and the tree of life, which represents education.

All of the women have been encouraged to express themselves.

One of the artists, Mehrunisha Valli, 36, from Deepdale said: "This was a fantastic opportunity. My piece is about oppression. I think it's a universal theme and it's about male domination in culture and society."

Art tutor, Shaisla Nazir, encouraged the women and guided them in techniques.

Mehrunisha used photographs which she blew up and then added fabric and rose petals to her picture.

One of the participants Kulsum Yusuf, chair of Deepdale's Women's Action Group, said: "Many people think that Muslim women are prisoners in their own homes, and that they are not allowed out of the house. It's a misconception that Islam prevents women from being educated."

The artwork is appearing on billboards around the city, including the corner of Manchester Road and Queen Street and New Hall Lane.

The exhibition at the Harris is free and runs until Saturday March 1.