A "ONCE-in-a-life­time" exhibition of works by some of Britain's most famous artists and writers was officially opened by the Welsh culture minister.

Paintings by Turner and manuscripts by Wordsworth are among the works that have been brought from some of Britain's leading museums to Chepstow Museum for the Sites of Inspiration exhibition of works inspired by Tintern Abbey which runs until the end of September.

The works have been brought together as part of the Welsh Government's Sharing the Treasures scheme which aims to "connect the people of Wales with their history and heritage," said Mr Griffiths.

He added: "The rationale behind Sharing the Treasures is to make sure all part of Wales benefit from exhibitions relevant to their own localities and enable people to enjoy the great treasures we are so lucky to have."

Nearly every painting by Turner of the abbey and a letter in which Wordsworth recollects how he came to write Lines Above Tintern Abbey – one of his most popular poems – is in the exhibition.

Chair of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr John Prosser (Con, Priory) said: "Chepstow Musuem has been able to bring together this collection of great artworks inspired by Tintern Abbey from national collection in Wales, the Brit Museum, Tate, Victoria and Albert as well as private collectors.

"It is a very powerful thing to bring back these paintings, drawings, manuscripts and artefacts back to the source of their inspiration.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for people in Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley to have local and free access to these artworks which are scattered throughout the country.

"Seeing these impressive and famous works really brings home the contribution the Wye Valley has made to the cultural heritage of our country.

"Some of the greatest British artists and writers in the English language have produced works inspired by Tintern Abbey that have in turn inspired the world."

The exhibition also includes works by other famous artists of the 18th and 19th centuries including Thomas Gainsborough, Samuel Palmer – the earliest view on show was made by the Buck brothers in the 1730s.

There are also artefacts from Tintern during its life as Cistercian abbey from its foundation in 1131 until it was destroyed by Henry VIII in the 1530s.

Chepstow Museum curator Anne Rainsbury said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see world-renowned artworks inspired by the site brought back close to the place that inspired it."