PIECES of art created by 40 Commando Royal Marines during their last tour of Afghanistan have been on display in Taunton.

The exhibition at The Market House showed drawings by the men using the Combat Art kit.

The kits are designed to give troops art therapy and express themselves while on tour.

The idea was the brainchild of Anita St John Gray, whose late husband was an officer in the Royal Marines, and she teamed up with curator Tim Martin and artist Jon England to bring the two-year project to reality.

The project also received support from Commanding Officer Lt Col Matt Jackson.

Anita said the exhibition was well received in Taunton, adding: “It was very popular and extremely emotional for people.

“People don’t realise the pressure these guys are under or appreciate what they actually do, so this was a way of giving them somewhere to express themselves while they were away.

“Some didn’t want to give their drawings to the exhibition because they were so personal, but the ones who did have shown they had this artistic side to them.”

The bespoke camouflaged art kit was distributed to 500 marines from all ranks, fitting neatly into a combat trouser pocket.

The exhibition is now destined to be shown at the Royal Marine Museum in Portsmouth.

Anita also hopes to send the kits out to other armed forces so it can used while they are on duty.