FOLK Art: Why We Make Things Beautiful explores how Cumbrian people lived, worked and played.

Running at Kendal's Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry, at Abbot Hall, until April 14, 2018, the exhibition uncovers some of the forgotten treasures of the region.

Folk Art asks why ordinary people are driven to create extraordinary things, discovering the stories behind the fascinating objects.

The stories behind the objects are what makes the exhibition so fascinating. One example is of metalwork objects created during the Second World War by an Italian prisoner of war who worked as a farm labourer at Lisco Farm, near Troutbeck. Lido engraved scrap metal to create stunning everyday objects as a gift for the farm's owner, Sarah Bennet. The fine workmanship indicates he might have trained in metalwork, but without further information about Lido it's impossible to know where he came from or where he went after the war.

It is these precious and unfinished tales that give the exhibition its distinctive quality.

Dr Rachel Roberts, the museum's assistant curator, said that the display was different to anything previously shown at the museum: "For real art lovers visiting Abbot Hall they can discover the beauty of the objects. The stories and motivations behind making the items are so intriguing and interesting and it would be incredible for visitors to be able to offer insight into some of the unfinished stories of these captivating pieces.”

MOLLI is open Monday-Saturday, from 10.30am-4pm; closed for winter maintenance from December 23 until January 11.

For further information visit lakelandmuseum.org.uk.