A UNIQUE triptych wall hanging made by 23 Cotswold needleworkers is among 600 quilts on display at the Three Counties Showground.

The Quilts UK exhibition has drawn exhibitors from many other countries, including the United States and Egypt.

There are bed quilts, cot quilts and wall hangings small and large, from miniatures the size of a pocket handkerchief to bed quilts 9ft square.

The triptych quilt took two years to make and was given to the Cobalt Unit appeal in Cheltenham by the Shipton Quilters. It is made of natural calico and cotton, stitched in a series of individual Celtic appliqu patterns in cream, green, soft tan and cobalt blue.

A competition with the theme of Forest Trees and Leaves attracted 150 entries, including several from schools, as well as 50 displays demonstrating aspects of patchwork, appliqu, embroidery and embellishment.

Organiser Roger Cooling said: "We've got some Egyptian pieces this year, which are quite different from the UK style. They are more pictorial."

Around 150 trade stands offer everything a quilter could need, from a sewing machine to a ribbon trim.

For inspiration, there are demonstrations by quilters famed for their skills, including Barbara Chainey, Dorothy Stapleton, Hiver Pruden, Kate Cox, Sylvia Critcher and Maggie Davies.

The show runs until Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. Admission is £7 (OAPs £6). Show guides are £2.50.