Wirral cultural ambassador Mike McCartney officially opened the 2016 Wirral Society of Arts' exhibition at the Williamson Art Gallery.

The singer-songwriter with pop group The Scaffold is an acclaimed photographer and cartoonist.

He praised the diverse display of work on show - and congratulated the prize-winners.

Mike was introduced to the packed preview gathering by Sue Brown, chairwoman of the society.

She said: ''The WSA was established in 1948 and is one of the premier arts organisations in the North West for professional and semi-professional artists.''

The society has more than 100 members and 60 are represented in the diverse range of work with more than 120 pieces of work.

The exhibition is juried with additional selectors for prize-winners which makes this showcase one of serious quality and interest locally and nationally.

Some work is available for purchase.

Colin Simpson, principal musuems officer, said: ''The range of media and styles is very wide.

''The WSA was always intended to be a very broad church, but the quality is there for all to see.''

Mike McCartney told the Globe he takes ''a very keen interest in and supports all Wirral arts in the community.''

''I opened the exhibition last year and happily they have invited me back,'' he said with a smile.

''I am very impressed with all the diverse work on display. I have enjoyed looking at work that stops me in my tracks.

''I know what I like and I like a lot here.''

As he presented the prizes he posed for photos with the winners including Mark Moynihan who won the Charles Oliver Award, first prize - for his stunning work Moth.

Supporting the exhibition were OMD co-founder and frontman Andy Mcluskey and internationally-acclaimed artists The Singh Twins.

The 2016 exhibition has additional prestigous prizes - apart from the main three there are prize from: Seagrass Gallery, West Kirby; JYSK, Ellesemere Port and Cass Art in Liverpool One.