AN IMAGINATIVE group of local artists and makers have joined forces to recognise Reading's heritage by creating modern-day 'relics' of what the town means to them.

The relics and their containers (reliquaries) are featured in an installation at the new gallery space on the ground floor at Reading Museum.

The exhibition is on display until Saturday, May 11 and is open during normal museum hours from Tuesday to Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.

Entrance to the exhibition is free.

The group has sought inspiration from what Reading means to them to create personal, enigmatic and bizarre mementos of Reading.

More than 35 containers are on display on a structure designed by local artist, Martin Andrews.

Beer, bulbs and biscuits feature in the exhibition, but there are also some more obscure things that have inspired the artists.

Trish Grimes, one of the artists taking part, chose a well know local pub as her inspiration, The Inkilkikin.

She said: "It will always be the ‘Hobgoblin’ for me, no matter what new name they give it.

"There has been an ale house on the site for around 300 years and for me it has its own rites of passage – birthdays together with my lover and best friend, birthdays totally alone, birthday celebrations with my son for his first official pint - always a space for me."

Councillor Sarah Hacker, lead councillor for culture, heritage and recreation said: "It's great to see this new installation at Reading Museum.

"It is beautiful and thought provoking.

"Reading Borough Council is very keen to work together with local communities to explore the relationship residents have with their local town.

"It's our role to find spaces where such works can be displayed and encourage greater debate about what makes Reading special.

"I am intrigued and delighted that our great Medieval Abbey and Reading's history can still inspire artists today.

"These relics and reliquaries give us a unique perspective on what local people think about Reading's past, present and future."