THE splendid sculpture of a sinuous and scaly dragon is the centrepiece of an unusual exhibition brought together by brother and sister duo David Howorth, artist, and Jill Howorth of Ludlow's Silk Top Hat Gallery in Quality Square.

Tenbury-based David's interest in sculpture dates from his earliest days at art college. Since then his clients have included the Prince of Wales.

His latest show of garden and indoor sculpture runs until June 28 so it coincides with the opening of Ludlow's Secret Gardens to the public next Sunday.

His work for the garden is made of galvanised steel, which makes it totally waterproof. Dragons feature strongly in his creations. He recently completed a commission for a dragon astride the ridge of a summer house. Another dragon rears up majestically in Garden Fantasy which is also in the current show.

But other natural forms are not forgotten. He made a metre high rooster on a fantasy chicken house for Prince Charles. A complex water feature at Wallsworth Hall in Gloucestershire included bullrushes, irises, dragonflies, a frog on a lily pad and a moorhen.

Another view of nature comes with an exhibition of botanical watercolours by Melanie Perkins. Her work is meticulous and painstakingly records every detail of her subject. She will be artist in residence at the gallery on Saturday and her exhibition continues until July 5.

Artist John Napper, who died in 2001, is commemorated with a show called Modern Mythologies which concentrates on his modern-day recreations of classical subjects. he show runs from July 7 to 26. Adrian Hughes will be artist in residence on July 12 at the opening of an exhibition of his paintings.