Axminster Art Society’s annual exhibition, held recently at the Axe Vale Festival, attracted well over 2,000 visitors.

The bright, colourful array of paintings was much admired and the hunt for a favourite painting presented every visitor with a real challenge.

A spokesman said: “In fact, many went round the exhibition twice before making up their mind.

“Eventually, it was Carolyn Barker’s ‘Poppies and Summer Snow’ that won the most votes.”

The raffle prize - a beautiful painting of a lily by Karl Taylor - was won by Fran Vincent and presented to her by the society’s chairman, Rob Chappel, at the end of the show.

The spokesman continued: “The committee thanks everyone who worked so hard to make the exhibition such a success and was delighted with the very high standard of work on display.”

The group’s president, Lynda White, was also very impressed.

Afterwards, she sent a message to members, and said: “Visitors to the show will surely have had the enjoyment of their day enhanced by the exhibition and by your smiling committee members (and demonstrator), who must be deservedly proud of the artwork and a job well done.”