A clutch of Oxfordshire artists are preparing to follow in the famous footsteps of Rembrandt, as part of Oxford's 60-year link with the Dutch city of Leiden.

The group Paul Black, Leora Brook and Tiffany Black, Rory Carnegie, Clare Carswell, Miranda Creswell, Jan Crombie and Katy Howkins have been invited to exhibit paintings, photographs and video film in the majestic surroundings of Leiden's Hooglandse Kerk, a huge medieval church.

Their exhibition, which will run from July 12 to 29, will coincide with the city's huge celebrations for the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt's birth and also a visit to Leiden by members of the Oxford-Leiden Link twinning association.

One of the world's greatest painters, Rembrandt was born on July 15, 1606 in Leiden, and went on to produce more than 600 paintings, 300 etchings, and 2,000 drawings.

Mrs Sandy Bloch, who is co-ordinating the artists' trip, said: "Three years ago, Leiden artists exhibited in Oxford, and we are thrilled to have been invited back as part of their Rembrandt celebrations.

"Some of the artists made a trip to Leiden at the end of last year and were overwhelmed by the Hooglandse Kerk, which is a huge building with extraordinary light."

The collection, which include photographs, computer images and even paintings of patients' limbs being plastered at Oxford's Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital, are now being carefully packed up, ready for their journey to the Netherlands.

Mrs Bloch said: "We are also hoping to get together with members of the Oxford-Leiden Link while we are there, and on our return will be transferring the exhibition to Oxford's Town Hall gallery."

The Oxford-Leiden Link was one of a large number of twinning arrangements made after the Second World War to foster relationships among nations recovering from six years of bloody conflict.

Oxford and Leiden were chosen to be partners because they were both university cities, with similar-sized populations and lots of waterways.

In March this year, the 60th anniversary of that original 'twinning' saw a party of more than 80 Leidenaars arrive in Oxford for four days of festivities.

The party travelling to Leiden next week will not only join in the celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Rembrandt, but will also witness the former Lord Mayor of Oxford, Bob Price, unveiling a stained glass window, made by Oxford-based Flemish artist Vital Peeters, in the Stadhuis in Leiden.

An identical window was unveiled in March at the St Aldate's Room in the Town Hall, Oxford.