The Herts Advertiser has celebrated its 150th birthday with a party for more than 200 staff and guests.

The Archant Hertfordshire title was first published on July 7, 1855 and to mark the anniversary a celebration was held at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans.

Lunch guests included Archant chief executive John Fry and finance director Adrian Jeakings, and this was followed by afternoon tea for 150 of the paper's readers.

More than 300 readers had applied for the 75 pairs of tickets for the afternoon function.

Huge birthday banners were also hung on the front of the paper's Campfield Road office, and these will remain in place throughout the 150th year.

Staff also produced a 44-page 150th supplement reflecting the social history of St Albans and district over the past 150 years and how the Herts Advertiser has reported those events.

South Herts head of sales Lorraine Strachan said: "We're really proud to be celebrating this milestone.

"We have a great staff and it's thanks to them - and our readers and advertisers - that the Herts Advertiser is such a success."