A photographer from Masham will be the first to stage an exhibition at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Yoredale offices in Bainbridge.

Over the past three years, the reception area in the office complex has played host to the work of local artists ranging from oils, watercolours and pastels to printmaking, etchings and glass panels.

The latest artist to take up an invitation to exhibit is fine art and social documentary photographer Gary Keat.

Based just outside Masham, Gary says the landscape and the people in the local area, including the Yorkshire Dales, have a great influence on his work, and he rarely feels the need to travel further afield to be inspired.

He uses film cameras for all his work – including toy plastic cameras and old cameras that he has acquired over the years – as each gives a different feel to the final print. He carries out the film processing and printing himself as he particularly enjoys the organic nature of pure photography.

Richard Burnett, the YDNPA’s Head of Finance and Resources, said: “This will be the first photography exhibition we have staged, and it’s good to start a new year with a new attraction.

“We hope the artists we have booked so far for 2010 will continue to capture the interest and appreciation of staff and visitors alike.”

The exhibition will run through January and February. The offices are open from 8.30am to 5 pm Monday to Friday but not on bank holidays.

For more information about the exhibition please telephone Lesley Knevitt at the National Park Authority, on 01969 652326