The views and architecture of Porthleven have been inspiring artists for centuries – but for one group of students displaying their work at the weekend it goes much deeper.

Saturday saw the launch of a new exhibition at the Old Lifeboat House Gallery in the port, featuring just some of the pieces created by this year’s winners of the Porthleven Prize.

An arts residency funded by Trevor Osborne and created in conjunction with Bath Spa University, it gives all creative subject students there – be it in painting or sculpture, music, dance or drama – the chance to get involved.

Fifteen are selected to spend five days in the port before using their experiences and inspiration to persuade a panel of independent judges that they should be among the seven that then spend a fortnight living in Porthleven. Their research in this time is then used to create pieces that form a touring exhibition, which this year was launched in the port for the first time.

Naomi Box, deputy director of development at Bath Spa University, said: “The Porthleven Prize is now in its fifth year. We thought it was really important for the people of Porthleven to see what the students come down and do.”

During their time in Porthleven, the seven students are advised and tutored by artists Angela Cockayne and Bob Fearns.

Angela said: "They're here to investigate it really - they get under the skin of the place. They look for different ways [of depicting it] rather than responding to the obvious view points and vistas.

"This year we have folk law and myths and legends; pieces in designs of the skylines. It's about them absorbing it, it's not a direct representation."