A PHOTOGRAPHIC portrait exhibition celebrating the Alcester community is set to go on display at a town centre venue later this month.

The two-day free exhibition, called 'Familiar Faces’ is being put on by Jake Photography at Church House in Butter Street, and will raise money for Alcester Day Care.

The dementia care scheme has arisen out of work of the Alcester Café, a twice-weekly drop-in centre dedicated to people with dementia or memory problems, founded by Carole and Roger Zambonini.

The photography project was dreamed up by local photographer Kelvin Cornwall and his wife Jane who moved to the town six years ago.

They hope to promote the idea that faces should be familiar and do not necessarily have to be famous.

Mr Cornwall said: "It has been an exciting and rewarding experience putting together this body of our work and along the way. We’ve made new friends and hopefully continued in the tradition of our lovely town and villages of being a warm and welcoming community."

The exhibition features formal portraits of about 80 local faces of all walks of life, including shopkeepers, teachers, children, gardeners, magistrates, caretakers, butchers, clergy, artists and even town MP Nadhim Zahawi.

During the event, people will be encouraged to make donations for Alcester Day Care.

Mr Cornwall added: "One of the devastating aspects for people with dementia and memory loss is that faces that were once familiar, slowly and unfairly become unfamiliar.

"Those they hold closest and dearest become strangers. Our faces, core to our identity and distinctiveness, are sadly lost, a proverbial robbery of the soul.

"Familiar Faces aims to put at the heart of the exhibition some of the faces that are known to the community, family and individuals.

"Please do come along and see who you recognise and help us to raise valuable funds for Alcester Day Care."

The event is being held on Saturday, September 24 from 9am to 5pm and Sunday, September 25 between noon and 5pm.

For more information kelvin@jake-photography.com, jake-photography.com/familiarfaces or call 07903321718.