SHINING and beautiful examples of stained glass have graced churches and historical buildings in Britain for centuries, and now the tradition is being kept alive by a class held in Somerset.

A group of students meet in Burnham every Tuesday afternoon at the adult education centre, and are taught the intricacies and finer details of stained glass skills as part of the Somerset County Council's adult education classes.

Tutor Angie Dibble helps each student plan and make a variety of stained glass window projects from start to finish. Some of the projects worked on range from ambitious windows to smaller sun-catchers and decorative mirrors.

The students are just as varied as the projects they make, proving you are never too old or too young to learn and enjoy this craft. Students range from absolute beginners to others doing a qualification course.

One of the students, Pat Munn, made a window (pictured) especially for her home, she said: "I have been doing stained glass for a few years and thoroughly enjoy it. I find it very therapeutic."

Another student, Sue Walker was attracted to the class after she saw some examples of Angie Dibble's work in Somerset Art Week.

She said: "Having used predominantly watercolour in my art work, I was inspired to try a new medium, and loved the way light interplays with colour and form in stained glass, infusing the pieces with a magical vitality.

"My first piece is semi-abstract, using the landscape forms around Chew Valley as a starting point, the rolling hills and fields, the lake, and the open and ever-changing sky."