A CLARETS dream team containing former Sex Pistol Sid Vicious and Elvis Presley is just one of the unique paintings which form part of a new exhibition at Towneley Hall.

The show is inspired by the link between a mental health project at Burnley General Hospital and the care given to Dutch impressionist Vincent Van Gogh during the last year of his life in 1889.

Just before his death he stayed at the psychiatric hospital of St Remy in Provence, Southern France.

The Valetudo project in France is named after the Greek and Roman goddess of health. She was worshipped in the ancient city of Glanum, the ruins of which are next to the priory of St Paul in St Remy.

The priory was built around 1,000 years ago to care for the mentally ill and still does so today.

Since Van Gogh's stay the doctors and staff have allowed patients to express their feelings through art.

Now 31 paintings by 14 female patients will go on show at Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum alongside pictures from patients at the State of Art project which runs at The Hive at Burnley General Hospital.

The Hive aims to prepare people aged 16-65 with mental health problems for employment and voluntary work.

Included in the paintings are takes on famous works such as 'The Sun Had Closed the Winter's Day' by Joseph Farquharson, Monet's 'Impression: Sunrise' and 'Laughing Cavalier' by Frans Hal.

And there are also two paintings of fantasy Burnley players - Elvis Presley and Sid Vicious.

Coun Barry Guttridge, executive member for leisure at Burnley council, said: "We are proud to present both the Valetudo and State of Art projects as they have helped people express their thoughts through colour, shape and form."

Van Gogh produced more than 250 works of art during his year-long stay at the hospital, including many of his most famous works like that of the chair in his bedroom and the countryside around the building.

The exhibition will run from Saturday until May 2.