A Lancaster artist will unveil an exhibition of paintings depicting bridges across the River Lune next week.

But there's one bridge that won't be captured on canvas by painter Geoff Woodhead.

Geoff's exhibition Bridges Across the Lune features 22 paintings of 19 bridges that span the local river.

But he says he'll never paint the new Millennium Bridge which he describes as "inappropriate" and "ugly."

The exhibition will go on show at the Storey Institute on November 9 and ironically it was the start of work on the new bridge which inspired Geoff's exhibition. Artist and Quay resident, Geoff, said of the new bridge: "It's totally inappropriate - a concrete and steel bridge built onto a 1765 Quay wall. The two posts are ugly and ruin the skyline and they've had all sorts of problems building it. One night there were two men welding at 2am in the morning. Bring back the Romans I say!

"I've painted 19 bridges across the Lune, including Skerton Bridge which looks great and has stood the test of time, but the new cyclebridge is definitely one I won't be painting!"

In the exhibition programme notes Ian Gardener explains: "You will notice that there is one bridge noticeable by its exclusion. For 2000 we have a new folly and it is not the only one!"

Bridges Over the Lune will open to the public at the Storey Gallery on November 9 and features Carlise Bridge, Thomas Harrison's Skerton Bridge and the canal aqueduct.

The exhibition is open until December 20 and special events include a poetry reading by Adrian Mitchell on November 10 and a harpsichord recital on November 23.

For more details about call Storey Institute on 844133.