THREE Thanet artists have been selected by the Royal Academy of Arts for its prestigious annual summer exhibition.

Works by Margate artists Alan Welsford and Pamela Kay and Broadstairs-based Mark Hampson are on show until August 15.

Both Alan and Pamela are regular exhibitors at the summer exhibition.

Even so for both the thrill of acceptance never fades.

Alan who has been a professional painter for more than 30 years and recently moved his studio to Margate said: "I punched the air when I heard."

Although Alan's work is mainly abstract the Royal Academy selected is part of a series of paintings based on an amusement arcade.

Pamela, who had both her submissions accepted is a more traditional painter who never paints abstracts. She prefers creating still life images especially of flowers.

Her works are called Flower Pots and Cherries, and Seed Box and Hyacinths.

She said: "It's always absolutely marvellous to be accepted.

"Even though I've been selected most years, in no way is it a certainty."

See www.royalacademy.org.uk for details of gallery opening times and location.