ARTISTS have set up a permanent memorial to their friend who worked to expand the arts in the borough.

The bench in the grounds of Ripley Arts Centre, Sundridge Avenue, Bromley, is dedicated to the memory of Ann Holdway who set up the group Creative Bromley.

This gathered together painters, sculptors, photographers and other craftspeople but came to an end when she died in December 2011.

It was then decided to form a new group called United Artists and Artisans and some of its members held an exhibition in her memory.

Proceeds from the show at Bromley Central Library paid for the bench.

Painter John Parris, 77, said: “Ann worked so hard to get the arts moving.

“When she died everyone wondered what was going to happen and we thought we would keep things going in her memory.

“We do miss her.”