ARTIST Rachel Grant is turning to market traders and customers to help with her latest piece of work.

The 32-year-old textile artist has moved into a stand on Longton Indoor Market, where she will be based for eight weeks as she works on a project to celebrate the venue's heritage.

Her piece, launched yesterday with the name Under One Roof, will be made up of items collected from stalls in the market and recycled materials.

Rachel, who lives in Hanley, said: "I will be displaying things I have made out of various materials but I would also like to include memories from various people or photographs from the old days to give it a creative twist.

"My focus is the value of exchange and the fact that a lot more goes on here than the exchange of products and money."

She added: "People really value the social exchange, bumping into friends they haven't seen for a while and people on the stalls talking to their regular customers.

"I want to take part in that to produce a new piece of work."

Rachel's residency at the market started yesterday when she began work on the shelving and packaging.

Next week she hopes to start collecting people's memories.

The display is expected to be finished by mid-November and will stay in place for a further two weeks for people to view the finished product.

Stallholders have welcomed the project and the boost it should give the market.

Kevin McQuillan, partner in K&S Furnishings, said: "The market should definitely be celebrated. It is special because there are individual traders giving a personal service and it has got a friendly atmosphere.

"The main feature of the market is the town hall so that should be included in the project somehow."

Chris James, owner of Anne Edge Hosiery, said: "The market has been here so long it really is unique. Any exposure for it is good.

"It will be interesting to see the outcome of the project."

Under One Roof is the first of four temporary arts projects, which make up Longton Buzzes, a programme ran by urban design centre Urban Vision North Staffordshire.

The £16,000 programme, funded by Arts Council England, aims to celebrate the community and culture of Longton and follows on from last year's I Love Longton project.

Janette McSkimming, of Urban Vision, said: "During I Love Longton we consulted local people on issues in, and visions for, the town and found people wanted more cultural activities happening in key places.

"The Longton Buzzes programme aims to get people talking about the town and there will be installations that cover all sorts of things from how people relate to spaces and each other, urban greening and pastimes."

Future activities include Made In Longton, Longton Festival of Pastimes and a secret project.

All of the artists involved will be showing off their work at the town's Christmas lights switch-on, which is scheduled for November 27.

To contribute to Rachel's project visit her at the market stall, formerly Buckle My Shoe, on Wednesdays and Fridays, or go to her Facebook group 'Under One Roof' in Longton Market.