THE lives of gipsies, travellers and show-people is depicted in a new exhibition running at Bolton Museum and Art Gallery.

As well as presenting a general history - both national and international - of these people, it focuses on present-day local stories based on individual interviews.

There is a look at life on the road, illegal encampments, and the gipsy language. And prejudice and discrimination are among several related topics.

And there is a wealth of colourful photography, mostly supplied by voluntary community arts group Bolton Documentary Photography, with additional archive photographs from the Bolton Evening News.

Research, interviews and text is by Stephen Fielding, a local writer who has written plays for theatre, radio and TV.

There has also been help creating the exhibition from various groups and organisations including the residents of Crompton Lodge caravan site, assistant gypsy liaison officer Joe Walsh, Jon Lord from the Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Service, local fairground man Kirk Mulhearn and from Traveller Education (Bolton).

The project was supported by Bolton District Council for Voluntary Service, through the Community Chest, and from the Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Service.

The exhibition is on display until mid-January, open from 10am to 5pm each day.

It is closed today and Monday and will re-open on Tuesday.