A FORMER Leigh College student has opened his own art gallery - in Cardiff.

Christopher Lunn, 28, who is also a past pupil of Lowton high School, has been in the Welsh capital since 1992 where he gained a BA Honours Degree in Fine Arts from the Cardiff Institute of Higher Education, following the award of a BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design from Leigh College.

Now he intends to make art his life. And to prove his commitment he has joined forces with fellow artist and friend John Hambley to open the West Wharf Gallery on the top floor of an antiques market in the city.

The gallery, sponsored for the moment by cash from an English firm, is hopeful of gaining a grant from the Welsh Arts Council and other supporters of the arts.

Chris, whose parents Margaret and John still live in the family home at Leighton Drive, Leigh, said: "We are determined to make this a going concern, and we are seeking funding from all sorts of sources at the moment. For a capital city, which Cardiff is, we were surprised at just how little was going on in the art world and we decided to try and make it happen."

An opening exhibition last week saw 500 people turn up and it was hailed a great success.

Chris, who is also busy writing a novel, added: "We offer an opening for artists in Wales. The gallery is non-profit making and relies on sponsorship, with 25 percent of all work sold in the exhibition going to Tenovus, a charity which helps those needing post operative help after suffering with cancer.

"It is early days yet, but we hope this gallery will become very successful and well known."

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