Dozens of people turned out to see a vast array of work by 72 Sidmouth artists.

In total, 50 framed paintings out of the 250 on display, as part of the Sidmouth Society of Artists’ annual exhibit, were sold.

Organisers were thrilled to reveal the huge turnout and that the piece which won the ‘best in the show’ was a nude pastel painting by Jan Jameson-Bates. Catherine Osbond’s ‘Summertime Sidmouth’ and Wendy Markham’s ‘Spring into Summer’ won joint second prize.

The event was held at Kennaway House last week and featured the work of artists from across East Devon.

The society’s Terry Crook said: “It went really well and considering it had 250 paintings and it sold 50 of those, it was great.

“A number of members of the public commented on how the exhibition was of a very high standard and that the subjects painted were far ranging.”