Topsham Art Room director Deborah Wood with the Enhancing Topsham Award.

The director of Topsham Art Room is celebrating after receiving an award for improving the town.

Deborah Wood has collected the Topsham Society’s Enhancing Topsham Award for her gallery, based in a former workshop at 8A The Strand.

The Art Room, which has had two previous homes in Topsham, moved into the building after an eight-week conversion last summer.

It beat off competition from the new River Clyst pedestrian and cycle bridge for the honour, which the society awards to “developments and projects which enhance and improve the town”.

Deborah said: “To be the custodian of any historic architecture is a great responsibility, and a sensitive and considered approach is essential to keep the character intact whilst creating a new purpose and life for the building.

“A recent visitor to the gallery said how elegant and welcoming it was, and it’s wonderful to know that the residents of Topsham are also happy.”

The Art Room is currently exhibiting works by Hilary Cartmel and Elizabeth Hunter, which will be on display until July 1, on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, between 11am and 5pm.