MARKET stalls and supermarkets in Chorley are the artistic theme for a new Anglo-Spanish project.

Catalan artist Romero Martin has been so inspired by the local stores he has got together with Croston artist Charlie Holt to produce an exhibition using such things as bits of shopping trolleys and packaging.

Entitled 'Mercadocomida', the display is a light-hearted look at Chorley's markets compared with continental ones.

Tesco superstore -- which has sponsored the display -- and Chorley's outdoor vegetable market, have given the Spanish artist an insight into the area's shopping habits.

Romero said: "Chorley markets and supermarkets are full of character and fun, and this will be reflected in the work through wacky shopping trolley installations to images of the Tesco chicken counter staff who demonstrate that big stores can have personalities."

Chris Mellor, arts development officer at Chorley Borough Council, said: "Our unit has worked before with Barcelona, Spain and Portugal on developing artistic projects.

"Romero is one of the artists we made contact with on our visits and he has an artistic sympathy with Charlie."

He added: "We thought we would look at markets because Chorley is a market town and we wanted to see what artistic possibilities there were.

"What has come out of it all is the people and personalities behind the markets."

Councillor Steve Holgate, executive member for sport, arts and community developments, also praised the work, saying: "The exhibition will celebrate Chorley's market characters and give the Spanish a true reflection of market life."

The exhibition will run from September 9 to October 8 at Chorley's Astley Hall before moving to the Josep Composada Foundation Gallery in Barcelona.