The Fresh: Art Fair is back at Cheltenham Racecourse for its third year.

The Fair welcomes exhibitors from all over the country, including galleries around Gloucestershire such as Wetpaint Gallery in Stroud, Binghams Art Gallery in Stow on the Wold, and Little Buckland Gallery in Broadway.

Last year the fair saw around 5,000 visitors over three days, and founder Eleanor Wardle is hoping this year will be bigger still.

She said: “We expect these numbers to grow again this year as our name and reputation become better known.

“In our first year, people were surprised the Fair was so big and the quality of art so good. Now our challenge is to keep exceeding expectations.”

This year the Fair will host 51 leading UK galleries showing 5,000 works by 500 national and international artists, including new emerging talents, established artists and Royal Academicians like Damien Hirst, David Hockney and Tracey Emin.

As a tribute to the success of the Fair, 80% of last year’s exhibitors are returning, each of them with new artists and fresh work. All art will be on sale for visitors to buy.

Eleanor, who is also the owner of the Paragon Gallery in Cheltenham, continued: “In these days of retail gloom, art fairs provide an important opportunity for galleries to reach potential customers.

“But even more so, art fairs make it easy and enjoyable for art lovers to find the art they love. They can see fifty of the top galleries in one place in a couple of pleasant hours with a glass of wine in their hands.”

As well as art, there will also be talks and demonstrations for visitors to enjoy.

Leading London frame-maker Darbyshire will explain the intricacies of framing and art conservation, interior designer and Instagram phenomenon Dee Campling will talk about the world of art and interiors.

Acclaimed international painter and print-maker Jim Starr will demonstrate the mysteries of print-making and international fine art auctioneer Bonhams will be returning to advise visitors on selling their old art.

The Fresh: Art Fair is at Cheltenham Racecourse from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th April.

For more information visit www.freshartfair.net