GYPSIES and travellers are the focus of a new exhibition at a city museum.

Organisers say the event, called Stopping Places: A Celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller Culture and History, is a chance to celebrate the travelling community.

It is set to be staged at The Collection, in the city's Danes Terrace, between May 21 and June 30.

The exhibition has been organised by a group of seven heritage studies students from Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln, along with help from staff at the Lincolnshire County Council-run museum.

Second year student Cathryn Pike said researching the exhibition had been an interesting experience.

"It certainly opened my eyes about the difficulties the travelling community can face, particularly in young people at school," she said.

"We found evidence of gypsies and travellers in the county dating back to Victorian times but they could have been here longer than that. It's fascinating to see how the culture has evolved over the years and the images people will be able to see are very interesting.

"The local travelling communities have been very welcoming about the exhibition."

The aim of the project is to break down social barriers between travellers and local residents, in connection with Roma Gypsy Traveller month.

It will feature photographs of traditional caravans, gypsies at work, traditional arts and crafts as well as information boards.

The students worked with the Gypsy Traveller Education Service as well as members from the local gypsy and traveller communities in a bid to create accurate content.

There are four official traveller sites owned by Lincolnshire County Council in Summergangs Lane, Gainsborough; Washingborough Road in Lincoln; Redstones in Boston and Travellers Rest in Grantham.