The borough's beautiful bird life is at the centre of an extraordinary exhibition which launched at Bolton Museum.

Birds of Bolton launched over the weekend at the museum on Le Mans Crescent and it is to last to November 3.

A celebration of the borough's beautiful bird life, the extraordinary exhibition is inspired by the work of Eric Gorton, an artist and naturalist from the area who for some of his career was the curator of natural history at Bolton Museum.

(Image: Bolton Council)

Combining his interest in art with his interest in natural history, it includes Mr Gorton's sketchbooks from a period of around 50 years in post-war Britain. These sketchbooks came into the collection of the museum thanks to a donation.

There are other works from other artists including Mark Lightowler, Kirsty Yeomans and Lesley Young as well as activities for all the family.

This is alongside a packed programme of talks, tours, walks and workshops including several talks by Russ Hedley from Nature Talks and Walks, several tours by the current curator of natural history, art workshops and a Poetry Night.

(Image: Bolton Council)

Sam Elliot, the head of service for Bolton Library and Museum Services, said: "Eric Gorton spent more than 50 years filling sketchbooks with the most brilliant observations of local wildlife. We hope by showcasing his art in our exhibition we will inspire people to discover Bolton's environments for themselves."

Birds of Bolton launched over the weekend and it is to last to November 3. It is free for all with no need for a booking. 

This is alongside a packed programme of talks, tours, walks and workshops between now and the end of the exhibition.

Bolton Museum has a number of other exhibitions on the town and the townspeople as well as art, archaeology, botany and Ancient Egypt.

For information go to boltonlams.co.uk.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.