DINERS at The Foxham Inn will soon be able to admire the food on the walls as well as their plates.

Chippenham artist April Barlow is on a mission to give people food for thought while enjoying a meal out in Foxham, northeast of Chippenham.

Mrs Barlow, of Westmead Lane, approached the staff when she noticed while having dinner there that there was no art on the walls.

They happily agreed to let her brighten them up with a “playful” food-themed collection of 15 to 20 paintings and illustrations, which will include a new take on Dali’s lobster telephone piece.

The Goldsmiths graduate, 36, said: “Some will be traditional, some will be fun and some will make you think.

"I like to see real art not generic marketing prints."

Restaurant owner and head chef Neil Cooper said: “We’re really looking forward to using the restaurant as a base for something a little bit different.

“April is a talented up-and-coming artist and we are delighted to be able to collaborate with her to provide a showcase opportunity for her latest projects.”

Her Food for Thought collection will be ready to view at a showcase evening on Monday June 8, from 6pm to10pm.

Visitors to the exhibition can look forward to complimentary wine, soft drinks and canapés while they browse the displays, and all attendees will receive a voucher for a free starter or dessert with a three course meal on their next visit.

All the artwork will be available to buy, either individually or as sets. Mrs Barlow said: "It will stay up in the restaurant indefinitely, until people get bored of it, and will be on sale to the public."

Mr Cooper added: “Our fingers are crossed for some nice summer weather to provide a good backdrop for the occasion.

“We are very much looking forward to hosting this exciting event, which we hope will be an ideal opportunity for new and regular customers alike to spend a relaxed evening with us.”

The Foxham Inn, established 2006, was ranked third best restaurant in Wiltshire at the Wiltshire Life Awards.

Sample menus can be found at www.thefoxhaminn.com and include locally shot roe deer and pancetta in a spinach and red wine sauce, and West Country lamb with marmalade sauce, both priced at £16.50.

Some of Mrs Barlow's other work can be seen at http://www.aprilfool.co/ (CORR)