Hundreds of art-lovers and soap opera fans have been converging on Ilkley this week to visit a major new exhibition.

The presence of TV stars Anna Brecon (Emmerdale's Lady Tara Oakwell) and fiance Stephen Beckett (Coronation Street's Dr Matt Ramsden) ensured a successful opening for the British Society of Painters' Spring Exhibition.

More than 100 paintings have been sold so far at the Winter Gardens display, including five works by Addingham artist Lisa Moran.

Ms Moran, who specialises in botanical studies, has also been named the winner of the event's £100 Mail on Sunday prize.

Society director Lesley Simpson said: "This is the first time in 20 years that I can remember an artist from Ilkley winning the prize, so we're very pleased for her.

"It's a national exhibition so having a local artist win one of the top prizes is a boost for the whole area."

Reflecting on the exhibition as a whole, Mr Simpson's wife and fellow-director Margaret Simpson said: "It's been going really well and we've had three or four art clubs from all over the country visiting, who really enjoyed themselves.

"Lisa's paintings have done very well, with four going on the first day, and sales overall have been high."

The Society also hopes the event will raise several thousand pounds for the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), the anti-landmine charity supported by the late Princess Diana.

The exhibition, which finishes on Sunday, is open daily from noon to 5pm, and costs £2.50.