THE Crown pub on Walney Island is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a creative splash.

To tie in with the celebrations, the much loved North Scale establishment, built in 1865, has brought in Bakewell-born Will Wood as artist-in-residence.

During his time on Walney Island he will immerse himself within the surroundings by painting the idyllic views and skies surrounding the island from land and sea, taking to the water, aboard the Walney moored Schooner, Dundee.

Residency curator, Philip Northcott, described Will as an "excellent painter" and said that the opportunity to have him working from The Crown was a welcome addition to the region's cultural landscape.

Will - who studied fine art at Loughborough University - also teaches the finer points of art in colleges throughout Derbyshire, and has exhibited extensively in the UK.

The title From Walney comes from the celebrated poetry of Cumbrian poet Norman Nicholson.

Will will also been visiting the area during the next year to research and complete studies for an exhibition at Barrow's Dock Museum next year.

A few of the artistic results from Will's Walney stay will also be on show at Peter Blaskett's popular Signature Gallery on Kendal's Kirkland towards the end of August.