A VACANT shop at the Mill Gate Shopping Centre has been turned into a replica prison cell.

The transformation has come about as The Met undergoes a £4.6m renovation and theatre projects have dispersed around the area.

Go to Jail started today (Thursday) and will run until May 28 and shoppers can observe two resident "prisoners" in the mock up cell.

Although the two prisoners are performers, both are former inmates and will be happy to give the public an insight into the realities of prison life.

Visitors can also use a touch screen device to give opinions on their sentences and to decide what privileges they believe the prisoners should be entitled to in their cells; these could include such comforts as a guitar, newspapers, or a television.

To offer different perspectives on prison life, two female prisoners will be detained between May 19-23 followed by two male prisoners from May 24-28.

The project is the brainchild of Rideout (Creative Arts for Rehabilitation), an arts collective that was established in 1999 in order to develop innovative, arts-based approaches to working with prisoners and staff within UK prisons.

Rideout's Saul Hewish, who co-developed the project said: "Unless you've actually served time at Her Majesty's pleasure it's hard to imagine what life is really like for those incarcerated in our over-crowded prisons. Go To Jail allows people to see the reality, and hear real stories from those who've served sentences."

Admission to the performance is free and it is on daily from May 19 - 28 from 11am until 4pm.

Bury Art Museum is another venue which is being used whilst The Met is being renovated.

Next Thursday May 26 Bruce Molsky one of America's premier fiddling talents will be performing at the museum.

He is a twice Grammy nominated artist on fiddle, banjo and guitar.

Mr Molsky combines a deep and varied repertoire with relaxed conversational wit and he has collaborated with some of the most highly respected players in the world from roots to rock.

Tickets for the event cost £14 and can be purchased online through www.themet.biz

The event is unreserved seating and guests can choose seats on arrival at the venue.