The grandson of a Bingley artist who studied at the Royal College of Art opened an exhibition of work by sixth formers from across the Aire Valley last night.

The students, from Bingley Grammar School, Oakbank School in Keighley and South Craven School at Cross Hills, near Skipton, are displaying their work for the first time in the Bracewell Smith Gallery at Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley.

The 30 young artists gathered last night for the private opening, carried out by David Foster, the grandson of Walter Foster, who was a pupil at Bingley Grammar School and studied at the Royal College of Art in London.

Mr Foster, who died aged 42 in 1929, specialised in works depicting the Aire Valley.

His grandson unearthed much of his work in the attic of the former family home in Bingley, where it had laid for years.

It is now on show at the museum in an adjoining gallery.

The 50 works by the young artists, aged between 16 and 18, under the title Good StART, include composition, sculpture, jewellery and photography.

Among the exhibitors is 18-year-old James Smith, a pupil at South Craven, whose self-portrait was inspired by a trip to New York where he saw the work of American artist Chuck Close.

James, of Steeton, said: "I saw his work in the Museum of Modern Art and was impressed by its scale and the different media he used."

Rachael Conroy, 17, also a South Craven pupil, has two pieces on show. The first is an abstract painting about ritual inspired by Stonehenge, while the second is a necklace based on the shape of church windows, made from pieces of tin can, chocolate wrapper, plastic and coloured wire.

"It's great to be able to exhibit because it gives you a chance to talk about your work with people outside your circle," said Rachael, of Cowling.

The exhibition has been put together by museum education officer David Sheldon, who said one of the aims was to promote community cohesion by bringing together students from different schools and communities.

"It will also deepen their understanding of how the public sees their work," he said.

The exhibition runs until May 8.