AN artist inspired by her childhood roots is revealing the secrets of a beautiful and historic lost garden in a new exhibition.

Steph Shipley has been drawn to Rivington Terraced Gardens since being a child and through her work as an artist she has been investigating the stories that lie behind the landscape and historical intrigue of this ‘Edwardian Theme Park’ as she describes it.

The artist, from Smithills, is based at neo:studios in Bolton and her exhibition coincides with the multi-million pound restoration of the gardens, which once formed part of the once country retreat of Lord Leverhulme, designed and realised by him in the early 1900s and says Steph "what now remains of its fascinating past will hold special memories for many local residents and visitors".

"I am hugely grateful to curator Emma Kelly at The Gallery at St George’s House for inviting me to share my findings about this fascinating local heritage site which has been on the doorstep all my life.

"Researching Lord Leverhulme and his amazing cultural legacy through my MA Fine Art project has reaped rich artistic rewards.

"City like me is my tribute to him, " said Steph, who graduated with a a First Class BA Fine Art from the University of Bolton and is now completing her MA Fine Art research project at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

She will give a talk about her artwork at the opening of her exhibition which includes analogue photographs, screen prints and a short film that gives the title to her work — City like me at The Gallery St George's House in St George's Road, Bolton.

City like me is supported by Castlefield Gallery’s New Art Spaces, in partnership with neo: artists.

A preview of the exhibition will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 1pm until 3pm, with the talk taking place at 1.30pm.

The exhibition runs until June 13.