The East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is 40 years old.

It marked the landmark in style with the unveiling of a massive photographic collage to an invited audience at the medieval Court Hall, in East Meon.

The Parish Jigsaw project, which has taken over a year to complete, was undertaken to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the AONB and demonstrate the justification for its designation in 1962.

Around 100 people form the 43 parishes within the AONB have taken photographs throughout the last year and then attended workshops to make selections from these for their own piece of the jigsaw.

They have also helped to compile special parish pages, which have been bound into a series of albums to supplement the jigsaw display.

Everyone who worked on the project was invited to the unveiling, together with all the members of the East Hampshire AONB Joint Advisory Committee, which is chaired by farmer, landowner and county councillor, Sir James Scott.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sir James said: "We could not have a more fitting tribute to the AONB on its 40th birthday than this magnificent Parish Jigsaw.

"Not only is it visually very pleasing, it's a wonderful permanent record of what makes the whole area so special.

"It highlights the diversity or local distinctiveness that makes each parish different form its neighbour, not only in landscape, but in landmark features, buildings and the communities that make it their home.

"It has particular significance at this time, as the Countryside Agency works towards recommending the redesignation of the area as part of the new South Downs National Park.

"Together with the parish pages, it should prove both educational and informative and play a useful role in deciding strategy for the future management of the area."

Sir James also thanked George and Clare Bartlett for hosting the event. "This medieval Court Hall is one of the most important historic buildings within the AONB, so we could not have a better venue to celebrate our 40th anniversary."

Alison Tingley, Project Officer for the East Hampshire AONB, who has co-ordinated the project and run the workshops, thanked everyone who had worked contributed.

"We are grateful to all the parish representatives who have put in so much hard work to make this it such a success. The quality of the photography has been superb and the whole exercise has helped to stimulate interest in the AONB and to build community links."