AN evocative art exhibition showcasing artwork from both serving and former members of the armed forces is proving to be as popular as it is poignant.

War Art is a nine-day exhibition taking place at Exeter Castle until Sunday to raise awareness of combat-related trauma.

The showcase coincides with the Summer in the City festival and Armed Forces Week and includes more than 100 pieces of art, including work by sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Breathtaking sculpture, The Abandoned Soldier, an imposing commemorative sculpture created to honour those who have fought for Britain, welcomes visitors to the exhibition.

The event has been organised by John McDermott, a former member of the Royal Navy and UN military observer in the Falklands, the Gulf wars and Bosnia, Cambodia and Sierra Leone in West Africa.

Mr McDermott is now a full-time painter working in Exeter and formed not-for-profit social enterprise Aftermath PTSD to raise awareness of the condition through art exhibitions.

"Two days in we'd had over 400 visitors," he said. "People are continuously commenting on how they've never been to an exhibition like it and saying how evocative and memorable it is. People are thanking us for doing it."

John says this is the first time an exhibition of this sort has taken place in the South West.

It has attracted recognition in the national press.

Six rarely seen works by Exeter artist and survivor of the Second World War Nazi camps in Poland, Raya Herzig, will also be a feature of the exhibition.

Artist David Bravey, also known as Grade One, is also exhibiting. David was diagnosed with PTSD after serving with the Welsh Guards, which involved a stint in Northern Ireland.

"David was homeless for 18 months after leaving, suffering with PTSD," said John.

"Then he went through various rehabilitation programmes for addictions, and he started painting two years ago."

David is now studying for a degree in fine art at the Bournemouth Art Institute.

"He says his paintings are a lifesaver for him," continued John. "It's hugely significant to have artists exhibit who are suffering with PTSD."

The work of RAF ex-fighter controller Diane Hughes, from Sidmouth, is also being exhibited.

"Diane is now an artist and art historian," said John. "Her expertise is on British war memorials and war graves of the 20th century and she lectures extensively at universities around the country on the subject.

"She has become very well known. She created an installation piece for the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square, called Iraq Afghanistan, which is at the exhibition.

"She gives a lot of her art to the Royal British Legion in Exeter who hang her work.

"Having an artist of Diane's calibre is marvellous and her work is being commented on by members of the public constantly."

War Art also contains work by Colour Sergeant Barry John, of the Royal Regiment of Wales.

"Barry, now in his 30s, has been in the army since he was 16," said John. "He's been all over the world with the regiment and he's exhibited widely.

"His work depicts what he's seen and experienced so his work visually describes his own service career.

"It's stunning work. There has been lots of reaction from people who can set themselves into his experiences through his work."

He added: "It's marvellous having all these people here together, who may otherwise not have met. But the main thing coming out of the exhibition and the drive to raise awareness of PTSD, is the synergy of the artists. The range of work being hung together is startling."

Admission is free for the exhibition which will run until Sunday, between 10am and 6.30pm.