THE story of how Keswick and the surrounding area returned to peace following the First World War is told in a new exhibition.

Shown through art created and stories of the community, War and Peace brings together works by David A Baxter of Borrowdale, an official war artist, displaying examples of his work from the Great War in France to peace at home in Cumbria.

The Keswick Museum exhibition - which runs until May 12 - also explores the work of Keswick born sculptor, Frances Derwent Wood, who created masks for soldiers with facial disfigurements between 1917-1919.

The exhibition features four zones with hands on activities: First World War, which shows works created by David A Baxter in his role as an official war artist, as well as telling local stories of men, including Captain Hayes MC, a horticulturist, whose family set up Hayes Garden Centre in Ambleside. Transition examines the challenges faced by returning service personnel, including, living with disability, unemployment and the outbreak of influenza. Also, Remembrance which looks at how those left behind marked the lives of their loved ones who didn’t come home, through the development of memorials and commemorations in the local area.

Finally, Peace, which returns to the art of David A Baxter and his life following the war in Borrowdale, through his watercolours and butterfly collection, finishing with a work dated September 1939.

Keswick Museum manager Becks Skinner said War and Peace had been a great exhibition to research and develop: "Our volunteers have uncovered some amazing stories of the challenges faced by the people of this area. For many people, the guns falling silent in November 1918 is the end of the story. Through this exhibition, we will tell the forgotten story of what happened next and the path to peace."