WORKS by one of the 20th century's greatest artists are on display at a Gwent museum after it pulled off a "real coup".

The current exhibition of pieces by Pablo Picasso at Pontypool Museum's Barker Gallery - where security was stepped up for the show - is set to bring in the crowds.

Histoire Naturelle is a collection of 31 prints currently on tour from the Hayward Gallery in London.

The works, dating from the 1930s, are considered to be among Picasso's most important graphic productions.

In them, the artist depicts animals, birds, insects and other creatures.

Picasso created the images to accompany the classic 18th-century text, Histoire Naturelle, by the eminent French naturalist George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon.

He combined a wide variety of techniques to create the prints including etching and drypoint.

"It's a real coup for the museum to bring this exhibition to Pontypool - it's marvellous," said museum volunteer Florence Davies, from Pontnewynydd.

She added: "There can't be many local museums who would be hosting a show of this calibre. The curator has done really well - it's putting Pontypool on the map."

The exhibition, which is touring the UK, runs until April 23.