AN AWARD-winning journalist is to give an illustrated presentation of a book he has written about Morecambe Bay at an art gallery in Kendal.

'Sands of Time' by Lindsay Sutton looks at the changes the Bay has witnessed during the 55-year tenure of Cedric Robinson MBE, the former Queen's Guide to the Sands.

Mr Robinson began taking people across the notoriously treacherous stretch of coastline in 1963, and the book unfolds through the "prism" of his observations.

Those who see Mr Sutton's screen presentation will also get the chance to ask questions of the longest-serving Queen's Guide, who will be in attendance. There will then be a book-signing session afterwards.

The event at the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, ties in with the gallery's 'Ruskin, Turner and the Storm Cloud' exhibition, which is running until early October and marks the 200th anniversary of John Ruskin's birth.

Painter and art critic Ruskin, who spent 29 years living at Brantwood on the eastern side of Coniston Water, has been credited by some as forecasting climate change - something addressed in Mr Sutton's book - with references to clouds of industrial pollution in his writing.

In addition, J.M.W. Turner was led across Morecambe Bay by a Queen's Guide (a predecessor of Mr Robinson), and among Turner's works are paintings of the famous Bay sands.

Mr Sutton, a journalist and former TV broadcaster, said: "The book has been well received and is selling very well. We are both looking forward to doing our presentation and linking it to the Ruskin-Turner exhibition at Abbot Hall.

"The landmark exhibition has been a real success so far, but has to end in early October. Our presentation is a great chance to listen to Cedric and myself, meet the great man in person, and get him to sign your book."

The presentation is taking place at 2.30pm on Friday, September 20. Entry is free for those who have paid entry to the Ruskin-Turner exhibition.