WAR and Peace tells the story of how Keswick and the surrounding area returned to peace following the First World War.

Shown through art created and stories of the community, the exhibition opens today (Saturday) and runs at Keswick Museum until May 12.

The exhibition 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; it includes rarely seen works from his family's private collection. War and Peace also explores the work of Keswick born sculptor, Frances Derwent Wood, who created masks for soldiers with facial disfigurements between 1917-1919. Following his war service, he went on to sculpt people such as Lawrence of Arabia, the Machine Gun Memorial at Hyde Park and the Cenotaph in Keswick.

Featured are four zones with hands on activities, including First World War, which shows works by David A Baxter in his official war artist role, as well as telling local stories of men, including Captain Hayes MC, a horticulturist, whose family set up Hayes Garden Centre in Ambleside.

Museum manager Becks Skinner said museum volunteers had uncovered some amazing stories of the challenges faced by local people. "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."