diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index 0e261d6..d9d42d6 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 Package: nat.flybrains
 Type: Package
 Title: Additional data for use with the NeuroAnatomy Toolbox (nat)
-Version: 1.4
-Date: 2014-07-28
+Version: 1.5
+Date: 2015-03-12
 Author: James Manton and Greg Jefferis
 Maintainer: James Manton <ajd.manton@googlemail.com>
 Description: Includes 3D brain surfaces, bridging and mirroring registrations,
diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 9933a12..d34a581 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,12 @@
+nat.flybrains 1.5
+=================
+* added functions to support download/update of additional external
+  registrations from github repositories (see ?add_reg_repo and
+  ?update_reg_repos)
+* Add any additional registrations to options nat.templatebrains.regdirs on
+  startup
+* add VNCIS1 template brain and surface model
+
 nat.flybrains 1.4
 =================
 * package loading adds appropriate directories to the option