According to the old saying, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

This old satchel was found abandoned in a skip – but art teacher Andrew McIntyre rescued it from the rubbish and is now using it as an unusual canvas for his latest work.

The battered-looking bag has been transformed into a work of art by Mr McIntyre, who has painstakingly painted it with scenes of flooding in Shrewsbury.

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He said he had created the work of art to depict both the beauty and destructive power of the River Severn.

Mr McIntyre, from Ironbridge, decided to create the piece after discovering the old satchel abandoned in a skip after flooding in the county.

He took inspiration from the bag and used it as a canvas to portray the damaging effect that the River Severn can cause in the county.

The artist painted more scenes of county flooding onto the satchel, using everything from oil paint to biro pens.

The scenes included on the bag include high water levels on the English Bridge, the submerged Abbey Church in Abbey Foregate and a depiction of traditional Tudor buildings in Frankwell underwater.

Mr McIntyre, who teaches art at Telford College of Art and Technology (TCAT), has also included a more traditional painting of the river at the English Bridge in his flood collection.

He said: “This piece of work was made in response to local flooding in Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

“I like to use objects that are damaged, abandoned, or misplaced by such events.

“I use permanent markers and Tippex pens. I am currently working on larger work.”

The artist, who has lived and worked in Ironbridge and Shrewsbury, aimed to record his personal memories and records of the floods in the past and present through his artwork using glass, paint and the more unusual satchel artwork. His work is just one of many currently on display at Shrewsbury’s Bear Steps Gallery.

The quirky exhibition aims to reflect moments that have changed the artists’ life forever. It is called ‘The Story of My Life’ exhibition and has been organised by artist Sharon Griffiths, from Wellington in Telford.

The collection features around 72 pieces from 18 local artists, including sculptures, paintings and pottery.

Ms Griffiths said Andrew McIntyre’s flood collection was ‘inspirational’.

She said: “He has lived and worked around Ironbridge and Shrewsbury and has done a lot of work about flooding.

“I believe he found the satchel in a skip which had been chucked out by people who were clearing their homes after one of the floods in the county.

“He teaches art at Telford College and his work is a real inspiration to his students.”

Ms Griffiths, whose work is also featured, has created a poignant installation about coming to terms with grief. Her sculpture depicts birds in a cage. She said: “I had a stillborn baby around this time last year which made me look at life in a completely different way. My work is about letting go of loss and making peace with the past. ”

Ms Griffiths, who is a ceramist and a lecturer at TCAT, has also created individual porcelain birds which she plans to sell to raise money for the still birth and neonatal death charity Sands.

Meanwhile, the exhibition also features work by artist Sara Toe, 39, who has expressed f motherhood through a painting of her laughing baby daughter Esther.

The exhibition is open to the public.