A GLASS artist has a bright future after opening her own gallery in a scenic spot in Durham.

Janet Rogers has converted the St Margaret’s Church Hall on upmarket South Street into Crushed Chilli Gallery and Glass studio to sell her own work and that of other craftspeople and artists.

The local artist started working with glass about 10 years ago when she needed a replacement panel for her front door and hasn’t looked back since.

“I love glass,” she said. “I like all the colours and different textures. It is quite technical when it comes to assembling it, but it is great to see the end result.

“I was working out of an industrial unit for a couple of years, but really wanted somewhere where I could combine my workshop with a lovely gallery so people could come and see my work.

“So I couldn’t believe it when one morning I noticed a JW Wood Commercial for sale board on the St Margaret’s church hall. I just knew it was absolutely ideal for me and I called them straight away. It’s not often places like this come available in Durham and I couldn’t wait to get in there.”

J W Wood director Andrew Wright said: “We like to assist local people and companies where we can and we were delighted to conclude this transaction”.

“It was a very interesting building to work with and attracted a lot of interest. In the current climate it is imperative to have the necessary funding in place which Janet had arranged previously and was therefore ready to proceed immediately with the purchase