Artists are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their club with an exhibition.

Lancing Art Club was founded by Major HJ Cheetham, a long time member of the West Sussex Society of Artists.

From the relatively small beginning of 20 founder members, the club expanded to 60.

In recent years the numbers have declined and membership now stands at 35 members.

The constitution of the club has, since its start, been tailored around the one aim that "the club shall seek to encourage the practice and appreciation of art and to bring together all who share an interest in the subject."

A club spokesman said: "The club remains essentially a meeting place for enthusiastic members to exchange views and expertise and to learn from each other's efforts.

"The club does not aspire to being a formal teaching organisation but is ever-mindful of the need for learning to be channelled in the right direction, without restricting flair and imagination, and help is always at hand.

"We have about 150 paintings on show at our exhibition, plus portfolios and cards, most of which will be for sale.

"It is a policy of the club that none of the exhibition paintings have been on view at any previous exhibition.

"Our raffle prize this year will be an original painting by Wendy Jelbert, a well-known writer and demonstrator in mixed media.

"Members of the public viewing our exhibition are asked to vote on their favourite picture, for which the winning artist receives an award."

The exhibition, which started last Saturday, continues until this Saturday, from 10am until 8pm in the parish hall in North Street.

The club meets every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm in the hall, except in July and August when members go outside to paint at various locations and gardens.

For further details, call Peggy Smart on 01903 521025 or email her at ronand peg@ntlworld.com