THE industrial landscapes of Northwich will be on show in all their glory, when an exhibition opens next weekend.

'Brine, Steam and Rust' comprises 14 stunning oil paintings by the artist Richard Edmunds, a former resident of the town who now works for 'Wallace and Gromit' creators Aardman Animations.

Running from Saturday, February 22 to Monday, June 1, the showcase includes a series on the Lion Salt Works prior to its restoration, with a free public launch event at the museum on opening day featuring a talk by the artist.

Richard has work on permanent display at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum picture collection, having previously won the museum’s biennial Open Art Exhibition competition.

He said: “I’ve painted all my life, but I started in earnest when I moved to Northwich.

"The enormous industrial buildings and their presence on the landscape really inhabited my imagination. Huge towers, platforms mounted high above the ground, chimneys billowing out steam on cold days.

"Many were still working spaces but others were left abandoned, slowly deteriorating, rusting away and being overtaken and reclaimed by nature.

“What also fascinated me was the history of the town and its connection with salt and brine extraction. The consequence of this being massive subsidence of buildings and meres being created in the landscape.

"Seeing buildings at odd angles and others literally falling in to holes that opened up beneath them was extraordinary.

"I wanted to show this in my paintings, often drawing ‘ghost’ lines where the buildings should or used to be before they became abandoned and started leaning at precarious angles.”

Richard’s works include a series of pictures of the Lion Salt Works Museum before its £10m Heritage Lottery Fund restoration as well as Winnington Works and Wallerscote Works.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This exhibition on Northwich’s rich industrial past and present is a perfect match for the Lion Salt Works Museum, one of the country’s leading industrial heritage museums.

"Richard Edmunds’ fresh interpretation of the landscape and buildings of the Northwich area, and the Lion Salt Works itself, will be of interest whether one is a visitor or long-term resident.

"I hope as many people as possible go along and enjoy this fascinating exhibition.”

The exhibition is included in the museum’s normal admission charges but visitors should ask at the Museum’s reception if they wish to see the exhibition only.

For more information see westcheshiremuseums.co.uk or call 01606 275066.