PA's Best of British photo exhibition

Queen Victoria, Diamond Jubilee portrait, 1897
The idea of forming a British news agency was conceived in 1868 by the Press Association’s founding fathers in a four-wheeled hansom cab driving through the London fog. The nationalisation of the telegraph wires allowed them to set up a London-based news service for the provincial newspapers Photograph: PA

Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses an audience of 20,000 at Walthamstow stadium, London, 1945
The first Press Association lobby correspondent was appointed in 1874 and the first sports editor in 1883. The agency’s first editor-in-chief was Arthur Cranfield, appointed in 1926 Photograph: PA

Holidaymakers enjoy the sun on Bournemouth beach, 1946
The Press Association photo archives contain more than 7m images of British life across three centuries Photograph: PA

Serving beer by candlelight in the London bar at St Pancras station during a blackout, 1962
Both St Pancras station and the Press Association celebrate their 140th anniversary this year Photograph: PA

The Beatles, seated on chairs bearing their names, have their hair worked on during filming for A Hard Day’s Night at Twickenham Studios, 1964
Photography first became a part of the agency’s wire service in 1945 when PA and Reuters launched a picture service that was run as a joint venture until 1965 Photograph: PA

Nobby Stiles kisses the World Cup trophy as Bobby Moore (centre) is congratulated by team manager Alf Ramsey (left) at Wembley, 1966 Photograph: PA

The model Twiggy holding on to the pole of a dodgem car at Bertram Mills Circus, Olympia, London, 1967 Photograph: PA

A family were compelled to spend the last five days of their holiday in their parked caravan. The clutch on their car burned out on the Kingston bypass. Here they are pictured having a picnic on the side of the road, 1972 Photograph: PA

Lt Col Johnston is left holding Queen Elizabeth II’s handbag as she presents new colours to the Grenadier Guards, 1978
PA will publish a series of 10 books called 20th Century Britain in Pictures to accompany the exhibition. Each book will feature more than 300 photos chronicling each decade of British life as seen through its archive Photograph: PA

Prince Harry in the desert in Helmand province. PA photographer John Stillwell was the only press photographer to accompany Prince Harry on his tour of duty in Afghanistan, 2007/08 Photograph: PA

Great Britain's Chris Hoy celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's sprint final at the Laoshan Velodrome during the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, 2008
In 2005, the Press Association changed its name to PA Group to more accurately reflect its diverse business activities. The Press Association name continues to be used for the news agency and editorial services division Photograph: PA

Great Britain's Christine Ohuruogu reacts after winning gold in the women's 400 metres at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, 2008
The Press Association is part of PA Group, a private company with 27 shareholders, mostly national and regional newspaper publishers including Associated Newspapers, News International, Guardian Media Group and Trinity Mirror Photograph: PA