A new venue for an exhibition of Chippenham and District Artists has proved to be a success.

The group is holding its winter show in the Yelde Hall, Chippenham, for the first time and by the second day they had sold ten paintings.

Gill Minter, chairman of the group, said: “We have had more people than we usually have coming through the door. It’s very nice and we should do quite well. We have used Emery Gate, St Andrew’s Church hall and village halls. The Yelde Hall is a pleasant venue and a great bonus for us to be able to use this space.”

The exhibition features 180 paintings by almost 50 artists using watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel, ink and charcoal.

Melissa Barnett, curator of Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre, and members of the group judged the paintings. The best in show was awarded to Joy Burden’s Spanish wild irises on acrylic.

The exhibition is on Thursdays and Fridays until December 21 and on Saturdays December 8 and 15, all from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.