THE groundbreaking work of eight successful Bolton design companies is being showcased in a big new exhibition at Bolton Institute.

Digital Designs -- An Exhibition, demonstrates the wealth of design talent that the town has to offer.

JDC Communications, Cube 3 Media, Portfolio Art & Design Ltd, Leanda Ryan Design, Cherry Red Design, Fudge Studios Ltd, Shanleys Design & Print and the Silk Group will all have the best examples of their recent work showing in the Eagle Mall Gallery.

The work on display is collected from a range of commercial and corporate produced articles.

There is also an "exploration" of the town through a mixture of photography and typography.

The show also highlights the design disciplines taught at Bolton Institute, along with work from the Institute's own graphic design lecturers Pete Beard, Peter Phillips and Bill Smith.

The exhibition coincides with the opening of The Design Studio, a £6 million four-storey, open-plan building that brings together teaching, knowledge transfer and research.

The Studio, with its students, research staff, technicians and equipment, will be a resource for companies seeking design solutions to business problems.

The exhibition, which is free, is open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and runs until October 29 at the Eagle Mall Gallery, Bolton Institute, Deane Campus, College Way, Bolton.