The Royal Photographic Society has outlined plans to recruit a ?younger? membership in a bid to ?drive the society forward?.

Responding to a suggestion that the 154-year-old society is sometimes perceived as a little old fashioned, its president, Ralph Jacobson, said: ?We are actively seeking succession? new blood.?

He explained that part of the plans involve working ?proactively? with schools and colleges.

Keen to widen the society?s membership base and dispel any suggestion that the society is ?stuffy? he told us: ?You don?t have to be Royal to join the RPS.?

Jacobson said that the plans will also include a publicity campaign targeting potential younger members.

He was speaking to AP yesterday at the Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham where, at the time of writing, the RPS had signed up more than 100 new members in two days.