AN INSIGHT into the lives of volunteer army reserve soldiers will be the focus of an exhibition.

Created by Kevin Crooks, a photography teacher at Priestley College, in Latchford, the On Reserve project consists of photographs, as well as video and sound installations, documenting the stories of volunteer reservists based in the North West.

In preparing the World of Glass exhibition in St Helens, the 35-year-old was mainly based at the Jubilee Barracks, in St Helens, and also went to the barracks in Birkenhead.

“This is the first time I have been exhibited there,” said Mr Crooks, who was supported by the Heart of Glass for the project.

“I recently graduated at UCLAN with a masters in photography, and this project has come out of my studying, so I applied for one of the micro-commissions.”

His work saw him gather soldiers’ opinions on recent conflicts, how they believe they are perceived and what they think the future holds for recent and prospective army reserve recruits.

With the number of army reserves having being increased, with their role to be expanded over the next few years, Mr Crooks said he was keen to portray how these changes have influenced the reserves.

“I got an insight as to why these people join up, what they get out of it and how they see these changes influencing the decisions of future recruits in terms of wanting to sign up,” he added.

“I’m hopeful of possibly continuing the project. At the moment it is a local portrayal and how these changes have affected the reservists who operate in St Helens. I’m hoping to do a more regional one and even possibly a national one.”

The event is free to attend, with the exhibits to remain up until November 13.