The 'Cannock Chase Tapestries'

The history and heritage of mining in Cannock Chase is being showcased in what looks like its own version of the Bayeux Tapestry.

While that celebrated artwork housed in northern France depicts the events of 1066 that resulted in a Norman King on the English throne, the new set of unique tapestries chronicles the life and times of the Chase.

See our photo gallery to the right

Yet the influence for the work is Swedish rather than French. The images, including the miners' strike and the role horse- racing played in the area, are in works by artist Sue Prince, currently on show at the Museum of Cannock Chase in Hednesford.

They are based on an 18th century Swedish form of art called bonads which concentrates on pictorial stories about the rural and natural environment. Painted wall hangings would decorate the dark, smoky interiors of the small farmhouses during the winter nights around Christmas.

Mrs Prince became inspired by the ancient Swedish works on a visit to the country in 2004. She created her own tapestries on cotton canvas or linen and real gesso with a limited palette of natural earth pigments and indigo.

In her work she aims to celebrate rural life and to express modern stories and issues.

The 53-year-old, who was awarded the OBE for services to tourism and farming, said: "I have always had such a passion for Staffordshire and Cannock Chase is an area which fascinates me.

"About a year ago I was invited to showcase my work at the Museum of Cannock Chase and so I wanted to produce work which depicted the history and heritage of the area and its beauty.

"I really do hope people enjoy the exhibition as much as I did producing the art."

Mrs Prince, who lives in Ilam in the Staffordshire Peak District, is the only artist keeping the art form of bonads alive.

The exhibition runs until September 12.