A PURPLE pomegranate nestles next to snowy winter woods in a surprising amateur exhibition.

Woollen wonderlands are explored in the latest show from Oxford Textile Workshop at Wantage's Vale and Downland Museum.

The group of textile and thread enthusiasts first got together in 1993 and more than two decades on are still weaving their magic across the county.

Group member Jane Treavis explained the rationale behind their latest exhibiting 'Starting Points'.

"Our inspiration has been taken from a range of commercial textiles and we have used these as our starting points.

"They have been cut, reshaped, applied, dyed, machined and embroidered resulting in a changed identity expressing something new and individual to each member."

When the textile workshop first came together, it was without expectation of exams or challenges, just a monthly meet at Marsh Baldon Village Hall near Oxford to support and inspire.

The guidelines are still simple: bring your own lunch, exchange ideas, sit, sew and chat.

The membership has now grown to 30 with some founding members continuing to inspire.

Many members exhibit in galleries, contribute to Artweeks, teach and lecture.

With any extra funds after paying the rent, two weekend workshops are organised every year for a visiting tutor to inspire with their expertise.

The Wantage show opened on Monday and runs until the end of the month.

Admission is free and the museum is open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4pm.