A hospice nurse has beaten off more than 20,000 other budding photographers to bag the best newcomer award in the International Garden Photographer of the Year Competition.

Hackney Gazette: Carolyne BarberCarolyne Barber (Image: Archant)

Carolyne Barber, who lives and works at St Joseph’s Hospice in Mare Street and has only been taking photographs for five years, won the accolade for her picture, “Is she local”, taken in Lee Valley Park, showing two damsel flies peering over a leaf.

She said, “I know a little bush where the damsel flies hang out and had to get up in the night in the dark when they are still cold, and wait for sunrise. The timing is really important because as soon as they’re warm they fly off.”

“My inspiration comes from all the other photographers who entered this competition. The standard of photography is breath-taking and I’m honoured to be among this group.”