The inaugural meeting of the newly formed University of the Third Age (U3A) in Wheathampstead will take place today.

U3A will host the meeting at 2pm after a successful launch meeting, which attracted 190 enthusiastic villagers to talk about different interest groups including archaeology, philosophy, languages, walking, art and music appreciation.

U3A is a self funded organisation, which provides activities for people who are no longer in full time employment.

It is hoped that around 12 interest groups will be ready to start in June, along with monthly meetings hosted by a variety of speakers.

The first meeting will take place on June 26 with Eric Midwinter, who was a founder of U3A in Britain.