A LAUNCESTON cafe has transformed itself into an eat-in art gallery to give a boost to the area's creative scene.

Southgate Coffee in Launceston has decked its downstairs seating area with dozens of pieces from local artists which diners can enjoy while tucking into lunch.

Paintings from Kingsteignton illustrator Laura Wall and Launceston artist Karen Farrington are already on display and the owners hope to attract more local talent to the gallery's walls.

Amy Hutton, who runs the cafe with her mum Denise, said: "Cornwall and Devon are full of excellent artists who deserve exposure. We have plenty of room in our underground restaurant so it made sense to offer the space to local painters who caught our eye.

"My dad, Gordon, is a very talented landscape artist so I'll be hanging his work too. It brightens up the cafe, gives our customers something beautiful to look at and gives a boost to the area's painters."

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