SKILLED craftspeople from Malvern and Ledbury are among two dozen designer-makers taking part in a Christmas exhibition.

Organised by the Worcestershire Guild of Designer Craftsmen, the exhibition opened yesterday (Thursday) in the Worcester Guildhall and runs until Saturday, November 4, from 9am to 5pm.

A variety of crafts will be on sale, ranging from delicate glass Christmas tree decorations to beautifully-crafted items of furniture.

Malvern exhibitors include Jan Kellett, from Malvern Wells, who specialises in fine bookbinding and miniature books.

Her fifth and latest book, Shakespeare: Man of Property, has won a distinguished book award from the Miniature Book Society of the USA, her third such award.

One of the limited edition of 49 copies was presented to Dame Judy Dench and her husband, Michael Williams, when they opened the newly-refurbished Shakespeare Birthplace at Stratford recently.

The book is printed by Nigel Evans, of Malvern firm S H Watkins, and has hand-coloured illustrations. It is bound in calf, mounted on hand-made paper and laced with strips of vellum.

James Pearse, of Malvern Link, will be exhibiting his silver jewellery, including rings, bracelets, bangles, pendants, earrings and hand-made chains, set with hand-cut gemstones such as jade, amethyst, lapis lazuli and opal.

Marie-Therese King, who has taken a break from her craft while working on Sky in the Pie Puppet Theatre, is back in full strength with some lovely new batik work.

There will be baskets made by Jenny Pearce of Canon Frome Court, Ledbury, designer knitwear by Alison Dupernex of Worcester and examples of creative embroidery by Anna Yelland of Drakes Broughton, together with ceramics, wooden frames and mirrors.