A Winchester arts organisation has celebrated its 45th anniversary with a special event.

The Arts Society Winchester marked the milestone on Tuesday, September 17, with a ceremony featuring Judy Simmons, a member since its inception in 1979, cutting a ceremonial cake.

Members then enjoyed refreshments following the inaugural lecture of the new season.

A spokesperson for the society said: "We are very proud to have reached this milestone and are grateful to all our members for their continued support.

"We look forward to many more years of promoting the arts in Winchester."

READ MORE: Historic waterworks to open doors with machinery on display

Judy Simmons, a member since its inception in 1979, cut the cake at the anniversary event (Image: The Arts Society Winchester) Originally known as the Itchen Valley Decorative & Fine Arts Society, the group initially held meetings at St Faith's Hall, in St Cross.

However, by 1987, a rise in membership required a move to Winchester Guildhall.

The society underwent a name change in 1994, becoming the Winchester Decorative & Fine Arts Society.

Today, with more than 400 members, the society convenes at the Middlebrook Centre on the third Tuesday of each month.

Meetings feature lectures from a diverse pool of speakers, along with special interest days and outings.

The Arts Society Winchester is part of a larger network of arts societies boasting more than 64,000 members in the UK and abroad.